Homies In Harmony with Auntie Jayanthi
Registration now open!
For children ages 0 – 6 and their caregivers.
Auntie Jayanthi introduces musical concepts and early sound exploration drawing from African American cultural experience, vital artists, and familiar folk music. Early music learners will explore various instruments, sing, and play in a nurturing environment.
This early childhood program is a way to make musical memories with your little one from the very beginning of their life! Join us to learn about our peaceful instincts, self esteem, empathy, history and responsibility.
For questions contact Student Services: info@walkerwest.org.
2023-2024 Schedule
These in-person classes are offered in 5 and 8 week sessions, with 2 sessions to choose from on either Friday or Saturday. Classes are 45 min each, beginning at 10 am or 11am.
1st Session (8 Weeks)
Fridays, Sept. 29 – Nov. 17
Saturdays, Sept. 30 – Nov. 18
2nd Session (8 Weeks)
Fridays, Dec. 1 – Feb 2
Saturdays, Dec 2– Feb 3
School Closed: December 29 & 30 and January 5 & 6
3rd Session (8 Weeks)
Fridays, Feb. 9 – March 29
Saturdays, Feb 10 – March 30
4th Session (5 Weeks)
Fridays, April 19 – May 17
Saturdays, April 20 – May 18
Cost
5-week session:
1-2 children / 1-2 adults – $100
3-4 children / 2 adults – $150
8-week session:
1-2 children / 1-2 adults – $160
3-4 children / 2 adults – $240
Tuition Assistance is available, apply here.
Teaching Artist: Jayanthi Rajasa AKA “Auntie Jayanthi”
Auntie Jayanthi Rajasa is an archivist songstress collecting songs that speak to her struggle and empowerment and ability to be, change, and move forward while honoring the unremembered changers and movers of yore. She sings for people passing worlds (new or old or hardly used—meaning births and children, hospice and funerals, free and incarcerated, loved or lost) and has been in more than 10 bands in The Twin Cities. She loves being a teaching artist to every age and holding song or poetry circles.
For decades Jayanthi has been leading songs and sharing space with children circles, elder circles, mother circles, and inter-generational space. Mother to a 13, 14, 9, and a 3 year old, she relies on communicating with her children musically and through drawings often, and has seen it reach areas of their heart and psyche for healing, mindfulness, and deep connection in a way that mere words could not. Auntie Jayanthi works with the Million Artist Movement to dismantle racism and injustice towards people of color and dream collectively to produce actions for change and Black Liberation. She also works with Mama Mosaic on Minnesota Girls Are Not For Sale seeking freedom for women and girl sex slaves in Minnesota.
Monthly Musical Meet-ups with Auntie Jayanthi
Join us this summer to be introduced to or reconnect with the Homies In Harmony community. Auntie Jayanthi will lead in group songs and movements. All participants are welcome to add to the set list! Siblings can join in the fun, too. Let’s hangout and grow through music! In the case of inclement weather we’ll meet at Walker|West at 760 Selby Ave. Please RSVP for this free gathering. For more info, contact student services: info@walkerwest.org.
Past Season 2022 – 2023
June 17 | 10:00 – 11:30 @ Carty Park (705 Iglehart Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104)
July 8 | 10:00 – 11:30 @ Boyd Park (335 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102)
August 12 | 10:00 – 11:30 @ Martin Luther King Rec. Center Playground (271 Mackubin St., St. Paul, MN 55102)