Article by Gwen Jones, Department of Family Services
(Posted 2023 May)
Kofi Dennis is many things – artist, performer, educator, cultural ambassador, husband, father, and friend. He uses tools such as storytelling, drumming, movement, and dance to educate and connect with others. Using these nontraditional tools, learning occurs through play. Dennis approaches his own work with the same attitude, saying “Whenever I find myself doing anything, I don’t see work as work, I see it as play.” This approach, along with his generous spirit and joyful attitude, has allowed him to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of the people he’s worked with in Fairfax and around the world.
Kofi Dennis was born in Ghana, the fifth of eight children. After completing his secondary school education, Dennis attended Komenda College, earning a degree in Early Childhood Education in 1981. He taught middle school for several years before enrolling at the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana to study drama in education and music, earning a degree in 1990.
Dennis’ decision to return to school to study performing arts was fueled by his passion for Ghanaian culture. After having been educated in a post-colonial system that taught little about African culture, he began to investigate the culture of Ghana, learning about their food, clothing, dance, religion, and lifestyle. He was excited about what he learned and wanted to share it with others to create awareness and instill pride in their shared culture. He felt that studying performing arts would give him the skills to share what he learned on a larger scale. After graduating, he began appearing at institutions to give educational performances about Ghanaian culture.
In 1993, Dennis, his wife and infant daughter moved to the United States so his wife could pursue a degree in nursing. They settled in Fairfax County and while his wife attended school, Dennis was a stay-at-home dad. While taking care of his daughter, Dennis observed his daughter and was fascinated by how she moved, made sounds, and interacted with her surroundings. A year after moving to the U.S., Dennis joined the Montessori School of Northern Virginia (MSNV) as a storyteller. Joining MSNV offered an additional benefit – Dennis’ daughter could attend the school while her dad worked. Observing how children learned in the classroom, Dennis began to develop strategies to make learning fun using music, dance and storytelling.
In 1995, Dennis invited his friend Kwame to visit his classroom of 3- to 6-year-olds and give a djembe drumming demonstration. The djembe drum originated in French-speaking West African countries such as Mali, Guinea, and Senegal. After Kwame’s visit, the children continued to be fascinated by the drum and talked about it so often that Dennis borrowed it from Kwame. In the classroom, he and the children began to explore the many ways they could incorporate the drum into their learning – creating patterns, identifying shapes, sounding out syllables, and counting. Eventually, Dennis got a djembe drum of his own and learned how to play. He began incorporating it regularly in his teaching and storytelling and he became known as a drummer, a title he loves.
In 1998, Dennis joined the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts as a Master Teaching Artist. He works directly with teachers in the classroom, providing them with tools and strategies to teach math, science and language in a fun way using drama, music and dance. His work has taken him into classrooms and Head Start programs in 20 states as well as Singapore. He also teaches Wolf Trap Institute's Baby Artsplay, an early childhood music, movement and drama program for infants, toddlers and their caregivers that supports children’s development.
In addition to his work in early childhood education, Dennis has continued to serve as a cultural ambassador, teaching about Ghanian and African culture through music and dance. He regularly receives requests to host djembe drum circles and give interactive performances. During these events, he often shares the story of the origin of the djembe drum while encouraging participants to experiment and have fun.
Dennis has also enjoyed introducing drumming and storytelling to an older adult audience. Prior to the pandemic, he participated in the Creative Aging Festival, hosting interactive programs with participants at senior centers. His goal during these workshops was to listen to the participants and encourage them to participate in their own way, saying “You must believe in the joy of doing these things. If you do, you can share it with others and have fun. There is no right or wrong. Start from where you are coming from and what they are able to do.” His goal is to offer more hands-on drumming/storytelling and movement workshops to older adults in Fairfax.
Dennis likes to put his skills to use in his volunteer work in the community. He hosts storytelling/drumming programs for the children of patients being treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He also hosts interactive drumming programs for incarcerated adults and juveniles in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, MD. He welcomes the opportunity to work with incarcerated people in Northern Virginia too. No matter the participants, his goal is always the same – to draw people out, bring them together, and experience joy.
After moving to the U.S. in 1993, Dennis wasn’t able to return to Ghana until 2001, but he has tried to visit every year since then. During his visits, he looks for opportunities to give back. He works with former colleagues and other educators, identifying areas where he can help by sharing tools and strategies he’s developed. He also seeks out volunteer opportunities, hosting storytelling/drumming programs in the community and for people who are incarcerated. Last summer, Dennis stayed in Ghana for several months following the death of his father. During that time, he was able to visit many communities and host programs.
Dennis and his wife raised three daughters together but are now empty nesters. In their free time, the couple enjoys going on long walks and watching birds. They are also avid gardeners, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables every year. Their garden produces enough to share with friends and neighbors as well as store some of the vegetables for use during colder months.
Dennis dreams of someday establishing a nonprofit creative center in Ghana to educate people about Ghanian culture through community outreach. After participating in volunteer opportunities and seeing the importance placed on volunteering in Fairfax, he plans to use the center to encourage older adults to put their free time to good use by volunteering. While he works toward his dream, Dennis continues to approach every day and each task with joy and gratitude.
This article is part of the Golden Gazette monthly newsletter which covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers in Fairfax County. Are you new to the Golden Gazette? Don’t miss out on future newsletters! Subscribe to get the electronic or free printed version mailed to you. Have a suggestion for a topic? Share it in an email or call 703-324-GOLD (4653).