In this 30 minute episode of Artblog Radio, Roberta speaks with Pew fellow, percussionist, educator, and Percussion Director of “Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture,” Hafez Kotain. Kotain welcomes anybody and everybody (over the age of 5 years old) into his classroom. His mission is to teach about his culture, connect others through culture, and spread the joy of music! The musician was born in Venuzuela and moved to Syria with his mother and siblings when he was 4. He started playing drum when he was 7 and tells a very moving story about not being able to afford his first drum, but his sister saved up and bought it for him eventually.The interview, in which Hafez plays several of his drums to demonstrates their sounds and rhythms, took place at Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture.

Hafez Kotain’s Fall classes begin on September 18th and run until December 11, 2019. Click here to register online, or click here to learn about Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture!

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Percussionist Hafez Kotain on educating, connecting people through culture and music

By Roberta September 13, 2019

In this 30 minute episode of Artblog Radio, Roberta speaks with Pew fellow and Percussion Director of Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, Hafez Kotain, whose mission is to teach about his culture, connect others, and spread the joy of music!