Artist Bio

John Knecht is a professional percussionist who has traveled to over 25 countries to master the art of drumming. He has studied and performed with legends in jazz, rock, funk, classical and African styles, with an emphasis on drum set and African percussion. Knecht instructs children and adults on the theory and performance of hand percussion and drum set. Over the past ten years, his work in the classroom has emphasized age-appropriate aspects of music, geography, social sciences and language.

Artist Statement

John Knecht believes in the power of music to build leadership, community and self-confidence. John has 25 years experience in teaching percussion and 10 years traveling to more than 25 countries to study music in local cultures. He has transferred this knowledge into an exciting learning format that gets students and teachers singing and drumming together within one class session.
 
His workshops and shows include introductions to different regions of the world, including West Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, the South Pacific, Japan, and the United States. Important celebrations from around the world are magically transported into the classroom. Drums are demonstrated, travel videos shown, stories shared and rhythms learned. Teachers often build bridges learning other subjects as well, making connections to math, vocabulary, social studies and other art forms.
 
John, and fellow drummers in his company called Pulse Beat Music, believe in the power teamwork and leadership to bring student groups closer together. Workshops culminate with classes performing what they have learned. The sense of accomplishment is palpable as students perform their new knowledge of the world of music, often smiling from ear to ear in the process.
 

Educational Philosophy

Trying to find the balance between pushing individuals and creating a classroom community is the ultimate challenge. John and his colleagues use drumming and singing to get students excited about teamwork and community. They teach simple rhythms and basic music techniques to create momentum, and then build on these concepts to create more complicated arrangements. When students show interest and promise, they are given more responsibility and leadership. Meanwhile, the work complements social studies, vocabulary and math wherever possible. At the end of an arts experience, our goal is to transform a regular classroom into a talented, performance ensemble with more knowledge about the world.
 

Links

www.ihobf.org
www.chicagosinfonietta.org/outreach
www.dist113.org/hphs
www.pulsebeatmusic.com