With more than 15 years experience in teaching music, Ms Garcia decided to combine her knowledge of teaching djembe with that of local drumming group, Djembe Forte to present a concert that involved performances from both the local drumming group and Year 6 students.

Djembe Forte have been performing in the local area for the past 20 years. With Ms Garcia, a member of Djembe Forte, the group displayed an outstanding level of skill at the concert.

The group played the African djembe and dundun drums, sung and danced, engaging the students, who clapped and sung along.

The Year 6 Eagles class, also known as the Body Stompers, followed with a song called Jambo, composed by Ms Garcia.

This act used body percussion, the didjeridoo and props such as pots and pans, allowing students to relate to the audience with phrases such as; “There is no movement without rhythm” and “Everything, all work, all sound is rhythm” and “We are all in this rhythm right now together” and “It is our job to keep this rhythm alive”.

The Year 6 Penguins class performed the last act with a West African song called Maribyassa. This song was taught to them by both Ms Garcia and Djembe Forte. Students played the djembe drum and larger dun dun drums at an outstanding level and did the school proud.

Ms Garcia will miss working with the students after the year is over, with Year 6 students moving on to future endeavours next year at their chosen high school.

She would like to thank Djembe Forte and the Year 6 Eagles and Penguins class for entertaining and inspiring students, to embrace community spirit.