Arts and Humanities students explore hip hop culture

Students in the Lincoln Public Schools Arts and Humanities Focus Program are collaborating with the Lied Center for the Performing Arts on a series of workshops that explore hip hop, perhaps known best as a music genre but actually a larger cultural movement that includes dance, fashion and other forms of artistic expression.

So far, students: learned about the history and origins of hip hop and the role played by music DJs; heard from dancer and choreographer Vijay Olander, who also taught them a few dance moves; and visited the Johnny Carson Theater for a question-and-answer session with choreographer Rennie Harris. They have one more session, with a local rap musician, scheduled for next week.

The Arts and Humanities Focus Program began in 1998 and is open to students in grades nine through 12. The program is a highly interactive learning environment centered around the arts and humanities. Students who attend the focus program remain students at their home high school and are eligible to participate in the school’s activities, athletics and social events, as well as those of the focus program. Students take at least two classes at their home high school prior to the start of the Arts and Humanities program each day.

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