Musical Ancestries

This episode of Musical Ancestries™ is focused on the music, dance and traditions of Native America. Listeners meet Mika and her older step-brother Tom, and accompany them to a Pow Wow where the siblings learn leather and bead working and begin to understand Mika's Native American heritage with the guidance and wisdom of elder KiowaKat.

This episode of Musical Ancestries™ is devoted to Jewish culture, instruments, music, and traditions. Listeners will meet Cantor Ruth and her four students as they share a lesson on the great diversity of Jewish music and culture through the principle of Tikkun Olam, or "Repair of the World." Thus begins an exciting lesson as the students experience diverse Jewish music from around the globe and discover its relevance to their lives.

This episode of Musical Ancestries™ is devoted to the musical instruments and artistic traditions of India. Listeners meet 10-year-old twin sister and brother, Chandra and Nitesh, and their mother Deepa. The trio travels to India, where Deepa was born, so that the twins can learn more about their musical heritage from Uncle Nihal, a well-respected musician in Mumbai. Thus begins an exciting adventure as the family experiences performances and explores Indian music, dance, and culture.

This episode of Musical Ancestries™ focuses on the instruments, music, and traditions of Central America. Listeners meet the fictional children's marimba group "Los Estudiantes" and their teacher, Señora Cruz. Los Estudiantes plan to perform at three music festivals in Central America, but first, they must learn about the music, history, and traditions of Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama.

This episode of Musical Ancestries™ highlights the instruments, music, and traditions of the Caribbean countries of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nassau in the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago. Listeners travel with Jaden and his Uncle Alejandro through the Caribbean as they visit musicians, explore traditional instruments and discover the value of Jaden’s musical roots. Each area the pair visits contributes different flavors to music that is as colorful and enchanting as the islands themselves.

This episode of Musical Ancestries™ highlights the instruments, music, and storytelling traditions of the West African countries of Guinea, Mali, Benin, and Ghana. Listeners travel with characters Akisha and her "Nana" through West Africa as they visit musicians, explore traditional instruments and discover the value of Akisha’s musical roots. Each area the pair visits introduces them to music that is as diverse as the African landscape itself, yet resonates with the pride of their ancestry.