Nisha Purushotham

Workshops, Residencies, & Performances

Many Rhythms, One Beat
What makes a strong and vibrant community? Through the experience of African and Afro-Caribbean percussion instruments and rhythms, participants uncover community values at the heart of traditional music of the African diapora.  These values include collective participation, interdependence, adaptation, and awareness of the present moment. In this workshop participants will reflect on how these values might influence the culture of their classrooms, schools, colleges, organizations, communities and the world.


The Rhythm and Roots Project had our students and faculty dancing and drumming. Nisha Purushotham's background as an educator is obvious. Her insights on the development and purposes of Afro-Caribbean percussion helps to make a practical connection between music and the identity of the people who create it. The interactive nature of the program helps to reinforce her message. Chris Ougheltree, Teacher Cranston East High School

Rhythm and Resilience The Rhythm and Roots Project teaches actual drumming skills with education about African and Caribbean cultures. The project effectively relates the act and methodology of drumming to broader social issues, which fits well with School One's approach to the humanities. Cary Honig, Assistant Head of School, School One Afro-Caribbean rhythms are a testament to the power and courage of people of African origin to endure, resist, and overcome slavery. In Rhythm and Resilience, participants learn foundational hand drumming technique, Afro-Caribbean rhythms and explore the historical roots of traditional rhythms and instruments through reflection and dialogue catalyzed by audio samples, film clips, poetry and stories by Caribbean writers. This experience encourages participants to see the power of cultural tradition and artistic expression in sustaining, empowering, and transforming communities even in the face of great odds.

Story Circles Story Circles embolden participants to experience the power of their own story and its relevance to the stories of others. Story Circles build and strengthen relationships across the borders of race, gender, class, and culture. The Story Circle process consists of periods of community drumming, individual sharing, and group tableaus (body sculptures) that center on a theme, symbol or reading. The process creates safe space for creative expression, personal sharing, and deep listening. Nisha comes to the classroom fully prepared to make relevant connections with music and what is being studied.  Her hands-on workshops are extremely interactive and thought provoking.  My Spanish IV and French IV students will be incorporating what they learned with Nisha in an upcoming bilingual presentation on leadership. Linda Milner, Teacher, North Smithfield High School Return to Projects Page