MOTHERLAND MUSIC CO-OP

We’re honored to partner with Motherland Music, the legendary Inglewood store that has been a cornerstone for African drums, instruments, and cultural education for decades. Together, we’ve created the Motherland Music Co-op—a space for students, practitioners, and community members to deepen their studies in rhythm, sound, and cultural arts.

MOTHERLAND CLASSES AT KIN

INTRODUCTION TO THE KORA 

with LUNDEN RICE


Join us for a transformative Kora Workshop lead by Lunden Rice of Motherland Music, where we explore the rich history, spiritual resonance, and soulful melodies of this ancient West African harp-lute. The Kora, a 21-stringed instrument traditionally played by griots (djélis)—oral historians, poets, and musicians—has been passed down through generations, carrying the stories, wisdom, and ancestral knowledge of the Mandé people.

In this class, participants will:

  1. Learn about the origins and cultural significance of the Kora.
  2. Experience its soothing, meditative soundscapes and their connection to healing.
  3. Explore the rhythmic and melodic patterns (kumbengo and birimintingo) that define Kora music.
  4. Engage in intuitive sound exploration, using the Kora as a tool for personal reflection and storytelling.
  5. Learn to play the KORA

Whether you are drawn to its ancestral depth, spiritual resonance, or hypnotic melodies, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to connect with a sacred musical tradition and the timeless rhythms of the soul. No prior musical experience is necessary—just an open heart and a love for sound.


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INTRO TO WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING
with ESI POOLE

Join us for an immersive introduction to the art of West African drumming. Guided by a tradition that spans centuries, this class invites you to explore rhythms that have long served as a heartbeat of community life—used in celebration, storytelling, spiritual practice, and connection.

You’ll learn the fundamentals of hand drumming on traditional instruments such as the djembe and dunun, while also discovering the cultural history and significance behind the rhythms.

More than just technique, this class is about stepping into a circle of shared energy—where music becomes language, and rhythm becomes a bridge between people and cultures. All levels are welcome, whether you are new to drumming or looking to deepen your relationship with this powerful tradition.


WEST AFRICAN DRUM LANGUAGE

with MAGATTE FALL


Step into the vibrant world of West African drumming with Magatte Fall, three-time GRAMMY Award–winning percussionist and master of djembe, sabar, and tama. This class offers an immersive introduction to the language of rhythm, where drumming is not just music—it’s communication, storytelling, and connection.


You’ll learn foundational techniques on traditional West African drums, explore iconic rhythms, and discover the cultural and historical significance behind each beat.
More than a class, this is a circle of shared energy, where rhythm becomes a bridge between people and cultures.


Open to all levels, whether you’re picking up a drum for the first time or deepening your practice in this powerful tradition.

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MALINKE SONG & DANCE
INTRO TO WEST AFRICAN MUSIC & MOVEMENT
with NAFI DIABATE


Step into the vibrant world of Malinke West African dance with Nafi Diabate, renowned vocalist and dancer. This class offers an immersive introduction to the rhythms and movements that have long connected communities through celebration, storytelling, and ritual.


You’ll learn foundational steps, expressive movements, and the cultural significance behind each dance, discovering how motion and music become forms of communication and connection.


More than a class, this is a circle of shared energy, where movement and song become a bridge between people and cultures. Open to all levels, whether you’re new to dance or deepening your practice in this dynamic tradition.