Lake County Gazette

Helen Bond, a lecturer in music at Lake Forest College, was recently featured on Lakeland PBS for her role in leading a weeklong artist residency focused on West African drumming workshops in Bemidji, Minnesota. Bond was joined by guest artist Fode Camara from Guinea to work with students at the Boys & Girls Club of Bemidji Area.

The residency concluded with a family concert led by the participating students and included additional community programming. Among the events was a presentation about Bond’s nonprofit organization, Motherland Rhythm Community. The program wrapped up with a public West African drum class and a community drum circle held at Headwaters Music & Arts.

Funding for the residency came from several sources: grants provided by the Boys & Girls Club of Bemidji Area, the George W. Neilson Foundation, the Bemidji Area Arts Endowment, and the Carolyn F. Jacobs Cultural and Humanity Fund. Additional support was offered by Bemidji Headwaters Music and Arts.

Bond has spent more than twenty years traveling to Guinea to study West African drumming and bring back authentic drums made locally. She also teaches this art form at Lake Forest College.

Lakeland PBS highlighted her efforts in its In Focus program that aired August 22 across northern and central Minnesota. According to the release, “Bond and Camara will also bring their collaboration to Lake Forest College on October 8 for Daily Life and the Role of Music in Guinea, a public program featuring conversations, a meal, and a drum demonstration.”

More information about Helen Bond’s recognition by an international nonprofit can be found here. Details about Lake Forest College’s Department of Music are available here.