OpEd: Reggae Legend, William Stewart’s Rhythms of Africa at the Adrienne Arsht Center was spectacular

MIAMI – I was privileged to see a wonderful example of community collaboration on behalf of Miami-Dade County’s youth at Saturday’s performance of William Stewart’s Rhythms of Africa at the Adrienne Arsht Center.

With only 20 hours of rehearsal over nine weeks, Stewart transformed local teens into an amazing percussion orchestra. Unique to his method is the pairing of youngsters with seasoned professionals in a culminating performance of astonishing versatility, precision, and energy!

This program offered more than music. Teens learned powerful lessons in cooperation, responsibility, focus, and self-respect. The packed house enjoyed the tour of African-rhythm-inspired world music and the unfolding of latent talent.

Kudos to Mr. Stewart, the Embrace Music Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami, the Adrienne Arsht Center, and the Knight Foundation for backing this kind of positive programming for youth and families in our community. Programs like this will make the term “at-risk-youth” obsolete!

Kathleen A. Shea