About the Program
The Pan African Youth Orchestra (PAYO) is a youth orchestra, playing traditional West African instruments (drums, bells, gourd xylophone, bamboo flutes). Initiated by Ghanaian master drummer, Zorkie Nelson, through an artists’ grant from the New York State Council on the Arts, the orchestra is open to school-aged members from age10 to 18
This innovative musical project – the Pan-African Youth Orchestra for the Capital Region, -is modeled after a 28-piece orchestra that was founded by Ghanaian musician and composer, Nana Danso Abiam. The founding mission of the original Pan African Orchestra was to perform Afrocentric music comprised of African traditional melodies and rhythms. The original orchestra was founded in 1988 in the spirit of Ghanaian nationalism. The Pan African orchestra in Ghana recruited traditional musicians from the Accra region of Ghana to participate and its repertoire includes compositions by the renowned composer, music educator, and orchestra’s founder, Nana Danso Abiam.
Zorkie Nelson, a resident of Schenectady and a master drummer from Ghana, was an original member of this orchestra of traditional musical instruments. He performed with the group from 1988-1997.
Instruments in the Pan African Orchestra include atenteben (bamboo flutes), traditional hand drums, gylis (a traditional gourd xylophone), bells and other percussion instruments. The Pan African Youth Orchestra meets weekly. Interested youth are welcome to attend. Email us at PAYO@nyfolklore.org.
Upcoming PAYO Events
Keep Up with New York Folklore
Explore our calendar for upcoming professional development events as well as exhibits, shows, and programs.