What a night of music!
American cellist-songwriter Okorie 鈥淥kCello鈥 Johnson brought down the house Nov. 12 with his unique blend of music and artistry that integrates cello performance, live-sound-looping, improvisation, and storytelling -- all culminating in original compositions that allow classical to collide with jazz, EDM, reggae and funk.
The Atlanta-based is inspired by the exploration of African diasporic melodies and narratives and their intersection with people鈥檚 perceptions and assumptions about the classical and European nature of the cello. His passionate work with improvisation attempts to embody the phenomenon of wordless prayer.
Inside the Performing Arts Center at 5X社区 at Tuscarawas, OkCello was joined by members of the Dover High School Orchestra and the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Children鈥檚 Chorus to perform a special collaborative piece.
OkCello also visited four local schools during his stop in the area.
Support for the educational workshop and outreach came from the Dover Exchange Club and from individual contributions to the Performing Arts Center鈥檚 Education Fund. To learn more about the Education Fund or to make a donation to support these opportunities, visit the campus educational outreach page.
The Performing Arts Center鈥檚 2022-2023 season is sponsored by the .
Photos courtesy