Music Educator Johnette Downing Visits UAE

February 16, 2008. On Sunday, February 16th, award-winning musician, author and educator, Johnette Downing performed for students at the Al Dhabiania Model School for Girls in Abu Dhabi.  Students, teachers and administrators enjoyed her engaging performance, during which they learned about the foods and culture traditional to Ms. Downing's home state of Louisiana.

The American Center for Press and Cultural Affairs is hosting a week-long series of workshops and performances led by Ms. Downing to help students and teachers energize their English language classes by using music as a tool to build vocabulary, practice grammar, and develop confidence.

The American Corner at the Library of the Fujairah Women's College organized two morning performances for elementary-level boys and girls.  The children joined Johnette in singing, chanting, laughing, and sharing their lists of favorite local foods.  At the same time, in the afternoons, students in the Bachelor of Education program at Fujairah Women's College participated in two teachers' workshops with Ms. Downing.  Through hands-on examples, the students explored ways of adapting Ms. Downing's use of music into their own classroom practices.

Johnette Downing is an author and a multi-award winning singer, songwriter and musician performing original music with Louisiana spice for children internationally. She has performed, spoken and lead educator workshops in Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, Kuwait, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and throughout the United States.  Johnette is dedicated to sharing her Louisiana musical and literary heritage from the roots up with children. Through her musical performances, children have an opportunity to express themselves creatively, use their imaginations, learn about music and music concepts, embrace cultural diversity, interact socially with other children through dance, movement and singing, and celebrate the joy of childhood through the laughter, play, wonder, unity and community music offers.

Downing's has garnered multiple awards including five Parents' Choice Awards, two Parent's Guide To Children's Media Awards, four National Parenting Publications Awards, three iParenting Media Awards, a Family Choice Award, a Family Review Center Award and an Imagination Award.

Ms. Downing will lead two additional workshops in Ras al Khaimah before returning to the United States.