Artist in Residence Teaches Ben Mays Students to Turn Their Bodies into Instruments

"Human beat boxing is the art of turning your body into an instrument," the students chanted in a December assembly at Benjamin E. Mays Elementary. The assembly marked the end of a residency program with Terrell X, an acclaimed artist, performer and teacher with decades of experience in the music industry.

Through a partnership with local arts non-profit COMPAS, fourth and fifth grade scholars learned the art of human beat boxing and vocal percussion, no judgment and no experience required. Topics and activities included beat box vocabulary, body and mouth positioning, building confidence, breath control, stage presence and performance skills. Students got up on stage to perform with Terrell X while the audience joined in.

Thank you, COMPAS and Terrell X, for this amazing opportunity for our scholars! Photos by Scott Streble.