ThisWorldMusic

"Hiring Jeremy Cohen is the single best decision I have made in my years as principal. To say that he simply created a great music program for our school does not begin to do justice to the sheer magnitude of his contribution. From an awesome, one-of-a-kind African drumming ensemble to a cutting-edge digital composing and keyboarding curriculum, the visionary and multi-faceted program that Jeremy designed has breathed new life into Umana Middle, creating a palpable sense of excitement that is felt throughout our school's diverse community."

Dr. Jose Salgado
Principal, Mario Umana Middle School Academy
East Boston, MA

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"Mr. Cohen held a dynamic three-day workshop for professional teachers here at UMass. The students were lavish in their praise of his knowledge, his musicianship, and his energy; all 23 requested for him teach a second, more advanced workshop. His practical experience with integrating Ghanaian drumming into inner city middle school general music classes provided credibility as a teacher and clinician who understands the real world of today's schools."

Roger R. Rideout
Graduate Program Director, Department of Music & Dance
UMASS, Amherst

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"We at the Music National Service Initiative look to teachers like Jeremy as models for the kind of creativity, innovation and true grit required to do the difficult and important work of reviving music education in our nation's schools. With African drumming, he has found a real solution to a fundamental dilemna: how to engage and inspire students without forsaking rigor or discipline. His drumming curriculum exposes young people to the power of music and leverages that power to broaden their cultural horizons."

Kiff Gallagher
Chair, Co-Executive Director
Music National Service Initiative

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"Jeremy teaches discipline and musicality in a structured, contagiously energetic program. I saw him take disinterested middle school students and turn them into passionate drummers. His techniques were engaging and fun."

Dr. Elaine T. Koury
K-12 Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts Department
Cambridge Public Schools

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"Jeremy is hands down the best West African percussion student I have ever taught. His profound love for African drumming, coupled with his zeal for perfection, is truly remarkable."

Jerry Leake
World Percussion Faculty
New England Conservatory of Music

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"I had the pleasure of working closely with Jeremy to create the Umana Middle School Academy music program. What so impressed me was his rare combination of organizational skills and ability to deeply connect with students. Jeremy had a vision for a first rate music program and made it a reality through hard work, determination and attention to detail."

Claire Kaplan
Founder and Principal Consultant
CEK Strategies

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"Jeremy is a serious drummer with a deep reverence for our musical traditions. From his first lesson here in Ghana, it was clear to all of us that he was on the path to attaining 'master hand' -– the technical mastery and depth of understanding that separates the master drummer from the casual student

Emmanuel Agbeli
Ghanaian Master Drummer and Director of the Dagbe Cultural Center
Kopeyia, Ghana

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"Kudos to Jeremy! We need more conservatory-trained musicians who are willing to get down in the trenches and take on the tough challenges facing music education."

Lee Hyla
Harry N. and Ruth F. Wyatt Chair in Music Composition
Northwestern University