12/23/2016
Hi Everyone,
The Explorations in Afro-Cuban Music and Dance workshops at Humboldt State University is officially ending. After twenty years of directing this program, I have decided to retire and focus on my family, students, and my own musical endeavors. Concurrently the University has been evaluating the sustainability of the program and has decided to suspend it indefinitely.
There are so many people to thank. HSU director of Extended Education Carl Hansen and program coordinator Ward Angles, who believed in me when I first proposed the workshops in 1996. David Peñalosa for introducing me to Afro-Cuban drumming, being a soundboard for my ideas, and for teaching every year at the camp. Dr. Eugene Novotney for his generous support initially and throughout the passed twenty years. Ann Youmans, who managed the staff allowing me to actually play and participate during the week. My wife Christa who kept the home front together and threw the best parties! To all the faculty, for sharing their expertise with all of us in and outside the classroom, and generously playing at parties, giving of their time and bringing their enthusiasm and energy each year. To all my staff who did the daily grunt work. And finally to all of you who participated each year. Together we were one big family.
We will be leaving our page open. I have invited faculty to post any events they will be teaching or performing at. Feel free to post your thoughts, photos, and/or memories etc. I plan to.
Take good care of yourselves and I hope our paths cross again in the future.
Best wishes and salutations,
Howie Kaufman
