Crocodile River Music

“Students were so moved by the performance that an impromptu flash mob broke out on the gym floor,” Principal Kathleen E. Pastore said.

“By offering cultural experiences to young learners, we expand their awareness of the customs practiced by people of other countries and the common values we share. Students make connections when multifaceted lessons are delivered through the arts,” he said. - Worcester Telegram & Gazette

“The town of Framingham is known for its rich cultural diversity. Thereby, our school is composed of students from various cultural backgrounds. Walsh is a school that embraces student diversity as its greatest strength. We celebrate their heritage as this enhances their feelings of belonging to the Walsh family. Walsh is a space that is physically and culturally welcoming,” said Lackard on why she wanted the musicians to play at her school. - Framingham Source

Zachariah Combs likes to perform for an audience, especially one made up of children or teens. But he doesn’t like the kind that sits silently at attention, listening to his music and holding their applause until the end of the piece.

“African drum music is not meant for people to sit back in their chairs and observe,” he said. “It’s not concert music; it’s participatory music for a ritual or ceremony or celebration. It’s music to get up and take part in, not watch.”

“We had 75 middle school boys on their feet dancing,” he said. “You’d expect boys this age to say ‘Get outa here; I’m not doing that.’ But they forgot all about trying to look cool and let their primal instincts take over, because dancing to African drum music is just so much fun. It was awesome.” - The Boston Globe