On Friday, November 7, 2025, the Schenectady/West African Youth Orchestra (a youth ensemble created by celebrated Ghanaian musician, Zorkie Nelson) will debut a new piece by banjo musician and music educator, Scott Hopkins. The collaboration is the culmination of the coming together of two Individual Artists’ Grants from the New York State Council on the Arts: a 2022 Individual Artist grant to Zorkie Nelson to create a unique orchestra for youth focused on the rhythms and instruments of Ghana, West Africa; and a 2025 Individual Artist Grant in the category of “New Musical Composition” awarded to Scott Hopkins to create a composition for banjo and youth orchestra. The composition will debut as part of the Banjo Weekend at the Ashokan Center, Olivebridge, NY. Joining the ensemble for this special performance will be guest banjo soloist, George Elliott Franco, and guest percussionist Brian Melick. The composition will be part of the Faculty Concert kick-off for the 2025 Banjo Weekend, which will also feature music and performances by Scott Hopkins, Abigail Washburn, Mike + Ruthy, Joe Newberry, Peter Davis, and Ned Luberecki.
The Schenectady/West African Youth Orchestra was formed in 2023 with youth members from the Capital Region. Supported by the Schenectady Foundation, a Schenectady County Arts Grant, and the Schenectady County Youth Bureau, the Youth Orchestra includes drums, bells, bamboo flutes (called atenteben), and the gylis, a gourd xylophone. The Schenectady/West African Youth orchestra is the brainchild of Ghanaian drummer and music educator, Zorkie Nelson. Formerly a member of Odadaa!, Zorkie Nelson has performed with several touring ensembles, including the Ghanaian National Music and Dance Ensemble. He was a featured performer for Wynton Marsali’s Orchestra and their touring production, Congo Square. Besides serving as a teaching artist in the Schenectady School District and elsewhere in the Capital Region, Zorkie performs with his own ensemble, Gballoi: West African Drumming and Dance. He is also a member of the Capital Region based ensemble, Heard. Recruitment for the Schenectady/West African Youth Ensemble is ongoing and all interested youth are encouraged to attend the weekly rehearsals.
Scott Hopkins is a multi-instrumentalist and music educator. As a banjo musician, he performs as a member of the McKrell’s, the Upstate Bluegrass Band, and he is featured in his own ensemble, the Scott Hopkins Trio. He can regularly be found teaching banjo at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and through the Caffe’ Lena School of Music. When not playing the banjo, Scott is an instrumental music teacher at the Duanesburg Central School District and he conducts the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s Concertino Brass Ensemble.
The November 7, 2025 concert will take place at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
