U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman joined students and educators at Bear Tavern Elementary School last week for a live Latin percussion performance presented by Young Audiences Arts for Learning.
More than 200 students in grades 2 through 4 filled the gymnasium for A Journey Through Latin Percussion, an assembly by the trio Samba to Salsa, which introduced the rhythms and cultural roots of samba, salsa, and other Latin American traditions. The performance featured artists Josh Robinson, Alex Shaw, and Andres Cisneros, and included opportunities for students to engage directly with the music.
Watson Coleman, a long-standing member of the Congressional Arts Caucus and advocate for arts education, attended the event to see firsthand how creative programming supports student engagement.
“The students at Bear Tavern Elementary are an impressive bunch,” Watson Coleman said. “No doubt, that’s the product of great teachers, involved parents, and an enriching learning environment. It was a joy to see how programming like that which was put on by Young Audiences was able to capture the attention of so many young people and encouraged them to exercise both their minds and bodies.”
The event was hosted in partnership with the Hopewell Valley Regional School District and Young Audiences, a regional nonprofit that brings professional teaching artists into schools across New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.
“Samba to Salsa” assemblies explore the origins, history and musical traditions of Latin percussion through live performance and interactive ensemble exercises. The program is designed to connect students to the music and culture of the Caribbean and South America while encouraging active participation.
“This assembly allows us to explore the arts and how they are defined by different cultures,” said Bear Tavern Principal Jay Billy. “Especially during this month, when we are celebrating inclusion and valuing diverse perspectives, Samba to Salsa taught our students a different musical art form that they may not be aware of.”
Billy said the performers helped students appreciate not just the music but its cultural relevance, adding that “having Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman here, celebrating the arts with us, was a bonus.”
Watson Coleman was joined by Young Audiences President and CEO Michele Russo, trustee and Bear Tavern parent Mikaela Levons, and trustee Donna McInerney, CEO of the Foundation for Educational Administration. Superintendent Dr. Rosetta Treece also attended.
“We’re deeply grateful to Congresswoman Watson Coleman for joining us today and for her continued support for arts education,” Russo said. “Her presence underscores the vital role of creativity and cultural connection in education.”
Learn more about Young Audiences at yanjep.org.
Photos provided by Young Audiences
