Makola Performing Arts
Building
CONNECTION
Through Music, Dance, and Storytelling
Rooted in circle-based learning, our programs bring joy, resilience, and belonging to schools and community spaces across Oregon and beyond.
MISSION:
We bring people together through music, dance, and storytelling. With hands on a drum and feet moving to the beat, we create shared experiences that build connection and open the door to healing.
VISION:
We imagine schools and community spaces where everyone’s culture belongs, where songs open doors to respect, and where joy and resilience shine through cultural expression.
What We Do
In Schools & Communities
Programs like Dancing Feet and Talking Drums invite every participant to join in through rhythm, movement, and storytelling. Students leave feeling seen, connected, and inspired.
Pilot Initiative: Songs for Belonging
Launching in 2026, this program will bring drumming, language, and storytelling to schools and communities across Oregon, ending with joyful concerts open to all.
Meet the Founder - Okaidja Afroso
Internationally acclaimed singer, percussionist, guitarist, and dancer Okaidja Afroso creates modern African music that effortlessly flows between tradition and innovation; he “is an artist with staying power.” (Afropop Worldwide) A Ghanaian-born cultural leader with 25+ years of experience performing and teaching worldwide, Afroso carries forward a legacy of community connection, resilience, and cultural exchange. Learn more at okaidja.com
Join the CIRCLE today
Support our mission by contributing a donation:
$250–$500 covers classroom materials
$1,500–$2,500 provides sound equipment for a visit
$5,000 brings a residency to a school
$20,000 funds a full program cycle
Other Ways to Help:
Partner with us to host workshops and concerts
Volunteer or serve on the board
Donate equipment, services, or hospitality
Stay Connected
Contact Us
Have a question or partnership idea? We’d love to hear from you!