Love America Concert Series
As a musicologist, historian and performing arts instructor, Donald O’Conner of the WatotoAcademy of the Performing Arts, is passionate about exposing his students to moments and events in American and African American history that reflect joy, cultural diversity, unity, cultural values and most of all humanitarian love.It is this passion that led to his creation of a family friendly stage production concept known as The Love America Concert Series.
Community Leaders in the Making
At the WatotoAcademy of the Performing Arts, we strive to create a community of African American learners and leaders. Serving all grade levels, our instructors cultivate a learning environment where respect and concern for members of the whole community are important. We emphasize self-discipline, hard work ethic and commitment to setting and achieving goals. We believe our students are assets to our community and it is through this lens that we develop performing arts programming.
History of WatotoAcademy
In 1987, Memphian Donald O’Conner, musician, songwriter, producer was enjoying a successful careerin the entertainment industry and collaborating with some of the world’s top recording artist and performers. However, during a visit back to his hometown of Memphis TN he was devastated by the level of violence, arrest rate, teen pregnancy rate, low academic performance and self-destructive social behavior among the children and youth in his community and other African American communities in the Memphis area. The fate of his community prompted O’Conner to take immediate action by putting his musical career on hold and putting his training as a certified music/ performing arts instructor to work.
Our Impact
We’ve developed performing arts curriculum that is grade level specific and teaches students about the historical significance of musical styles and dance movement. Through this “history on stage” performance approach, students learn how to apply these lessons to their socioemotional and academic development. Students earn the opportunity to perform routines locally and nationally, building positive self-image and community commitment. Students can also participate in our WatotoTech programming, where students are introduced to the latest techniques in composing, producing and recording music as well as stage production.
CONTACT US AT WATOTOACADEMY
For general information, please email us @ watotoacademy1@gmail.com or click button below and a representative will contact you soon.