Meet Hudson Valley West African Drum and Dance Master Carol Chappell

There’s nothing like shaking off the day with a great dance class and when that class is taught by master African Dance and Movement instructor Carol Chappell, the experience is beyond  exhilarating. Having studied and dance with some of the worlds top African dance masters, Carol, a Woodstock local, brings Master Artists living in NYC and/or traveling through the area to Woodstock New York. With the goal of sharing her passion to all, her classes offer the experience of the beauty and tradition of the varied cultures of Africa and the spiritual knowledge that is inherent in the drum and the language of the dance. Get ready to dance with Carol Chappell.

Where are you originally from and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

I grew up on Staten Island, NY. Moved to California in the late ’70s and returned to Staten Island in 1980. In California, I got used to more of a country environment. In 1981, I attended a workshop at Omega Institute and loved the area, so I moved up here in 1983. I also visited the Gunks during my high school years and loved the area.

Tell us how you first got interested in West African Drum and Dance.

I have been dancing since I was 4 years old and when I was 19, I took folk dance lessons at South Street Sea port in NYC. At the end of the season, all of the teachers performed, one of whom was Baba Olatunji. When I saw the dance and heard the drums I knew I wanted to learn this style of movement. Shortly after we made the move to California, I found classes with Congolese Dance Master Malonga Casque Lord in Oakland and on the same day Dance Master Biza Sompa had just arrived in the US. That experience opened the door for me to pursue this art form. I continued my studies there and also in NY when I returned in 1980. In the 80s there was an influx of teachers from Senegal and Guinea West Africa and I used to travel to The City, sometimes three times a week, to study with these dance masters: Marie Basse Wiles from Senegal, Youssouf Koumbassa from Guinea and Loremil Machado from Brazil. I still study with them and many more to this day.

You mostly taught adults and some teens in the Hudson Valley, and a camp at the Ashokan Center. Can you tell us more about that?

I was studying herbology with Susan Weed. I mentioned I was a student of African Dance. The women in the class told me about two women who were drumming in Woodstock: Leaf Miller and Teddy. I connected with them and we decided to try teaching a class in January 1983. It just took off. I never thought it would be so well received. I have been teaching in Woodstock for 40 years now. I continually study with my Master Teachers and the class has grown from me teaching for fun to being able to teach authentic dances with their accompanying rhythms and sharing the knowledge of the culture. Africa is such a fascinating continent, rich with history and the origin of civilization.

I have been blessed over the years to have Master Drummers play for my class who authentically speak the language of the dances when they play. These Master Drummers include Mohammed Camara and his son Abou Camara from Guinea, West Africa, Fode Sissoko, Moustapha Diedhou, Amadou Diallo and Nfamara Badji from Senegal. There are many local drummers who have studied with us as drumming and dancing are connected. We don’t use recorded music. It’s all live! To have such a level of incredible drummers lifts the energy of the class and has brought my dancing to a level I could not have reached without them.

Tell us about the historical relevance of some of the dances that you teach and their ritualistic importance from the lands in which they were founded.

This is difficult to answer as each culture has its own rituals, different language in the drum and significance of movements. Some of the dances from Mali date back to the Songhai empire that existed in the 15th and 16th centuries. Most cultures have dances for celebration, childbirth, rites of passage and spiritual healing. Dances and Rhythms from Brazil, Cuba and Haiti are often practiced within African Spirituality and these dances reflect those forces of nature that they are honoring.

Over the years, you have brought many Master Artists from around the world to the Hudson Valley. Tell us about that and how that has made significant contributions to our community?

As I deepened my studies into the various forms of drum and dance from Africa and the diaspora, I began to realize how unique all of the countries in the continent of Africa really are, and it showed. I wanted to bring that diversity together so others could experience it, too. That is when the camp at Ashokan Center was created, to bring Master Artists from the Congo, Senegal, Guinea, Mali, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, Haiti and Cuba. The idea was to display the similarities and diversity of the varied forms of what has been labeled as “African Dance.” The name of the camp was called, “Lisangua Ya Bato.” In the Lingala language of the Congo, it means, “to bring all the people together.”

I continually bring Master Artists living in NYC and/or traveling through the area to Woodstock. I believe it is important for my students to experience the beauty, tradition and depth of knowledge offered by these Master Teachers. For me, having never lived or been raised in one of these other amazing places in the world, I do not breathe the culture and history these beings have in their soul and movement. I want my students to feel that in their learning from these Master Artists. Sometimes, they have even given performances at Mountainview Studio to share with our greater community.

The varied cultures of Africa and the spiritual knowledge that is inherent in the drum and the language of the dance have been a motivation in my life and to receive it firsthand from these great Masters has been a privilege. This work has given us a thriving African Community in the Hudson Valley. Due to overwork and horrible pay, the Senegalese musicians from Ballet Bougaraboo decided to stay in the US in the 1990s. They all lived in an apartment in a barn owned by my landlady. Eventually, all integrated into the community and many have families here in the New Paltz area. One example was two Master Drummers, Nafamar Badji and Moustapha Diedhou stayed and started a farm called, Ever Growing Family Farm that is actually growing rice here in the Hudson Valley. Life activities, such as work, harvest and socializing are intertwined with African Culture and expressed through drum + dance.

You are part of an Anthology of women that wrote personal pieces in a book called, Spellbreaking: Remembering Ways of Being. Can you share more about your story?

My story in Spellbreaking: Remembering Ways of Being is called “My Odyssey from Chaos to Balance” and is about the overcoming of “The Spell” of the illness I experienced as a person living with HIV. I spent most of three years in the hospital and was told I would be disabled for the rest of my life. The doctors saved my life with Western medicine, but African Dance, Essential Oils, Tai Qi and Qi Gong gave me back my spirit!

You are the President + Performer of Nego Gato‘s Afro Brazilian Music & Dance Ensemble that works with youth from 3rd grade to adolescent teens. Can you tell us more about that group and what you do?

I first met Nego Gato (Jose Sena’s stage name for the Sesame Street character and ensemble) when he came to teach Capoeira, an African Brazilian Martial Art, at the dance camp in Ashokan in 1985. He told me he wanted to work with children and we formed a small company in 1989 and began working in NYC schools with an organization called Young Audiences. We formed the African Nego Gato Brazilian Music and Dance Ensemble together and expanded to Pittsburgh and Florida, setting up many programs for inner-city youth and children with disabilities. Up until 2020, we were conducting performances and residences in schools and theater venues throughout the east coast all the way south to Florida. We also toured internationally in Japan and Europe. I serve as manager, historian, percussionist and dancer.

The Nego Gato African Brazilian Music and Dance Ensemble brings to their audiences the living history of Africans brought to Brazil during the period of the slave trade through the music and dance that has survived for over 500 years. The mission of the Company is to empower and enrich the world community through performance, and education in African Brazilian arts of music, dance and Capoeira, a form of martial art/dance. The director of the Company, Jose Sena grew up immersed in the sounds of Carnaval, Candomble Spirituality and the street music of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. We teach the living history of the abominable Portuguese Slave trade – the Middle Passage.

I hear you also work as an aromatherapist, massage therapist, Tai Chi + Qi Gong instructor and even a Priestess of the Ministry of Maat. What led you to pursue these healing arts?

I began my studies of Massage, Tai Qi and Qi Gong as well as West African Dance in Santa Cruz, California in 1976 and they are my continued fields of practice and study. I began my studies in Tai Qi with Master Yi Chung Chang in California and in New York with Master Tzu Ko Shih. I currently study with 102-year-old Master Kwan Sai Hung. I assist him in teaching the class in Woodstock. I have also been teaching in Ireland at a Vegetarian B&B called The Phoenix on the Dingle Peninsula. This September will be the 10th year.

When I was diagnosed with HIV in 1998 I was introduced to the healing power of essential oils and added them to my fields of study. I have studied Aromatherapy in Egypt, Italy, France and America. When you are faced with a chronic illness and an unwanted guest lives in your body, you are in a constant battle to keep this guest at bay. My weapons of choice are essential oils, Tai Qi, Qi Gong and West African Drum + Dance. They are all health-enhancing practices.

I was led to becoming a Priestess in the Ministry of Maat after working for years with the Oliveros Foundation on a production of “Nzinga, The Queen King” written by Carol Ione with music by Pauline Oliveros. I was responsible for casting the play with Congolese and Brazilian artists as well as choreography. It is through this work that I met Ione. In 2011, she asked me if I wanted to become a priestess and I answered I knew nothing about Egyptian Spirituality. She said to be a priestess was to be doing work for the empowerment of women, which she saw I was already doing in my teaching. I was initiated inside the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu in 2012.

Are there any exciting projects you are working on?

After studying the art of natural perfumery in Italy, I created a line of all-natural perfumes. Natural fragrances are typically free from any harmful toxic materials such as synthetic chemicals. I also create bespoke perfumes, custom fragrances tailored specially for you with the scents that are dearest to you and appeal to the most. My latest project is a skin oil called, “Cloud.” It contains all-natural exotic oils and essential oils I have discovered in my travels. Such as Sea Buckthorn from Mongolia, Maracuja (Passion Flower) from Brazil, Jasmine from Egypt among many others. I make Cloud – rejuvenating skin oil – from only natural aromatic essential oils and carrier oils that are directly extracted from nature’s flora and fauna. Everything is made in individual batches. I have received a lot of positive feedback from women who are using it now.

What is it about the Hudson Valley that makes it unique to live + work here?

The beauty of the environment and so many like-minded people. Also, it is a quick trip to The City for classes and shows.

Which local places do you visit the most?

I often go to local waterfalls and walk in the woods in High Falls. My favorite towns are Woodstock, Rosendale and Rhinebeck because they all offer cultural events like theater, live music and great restaurants. Yum Yum Noodle Bar is one of my favorites! I’m always looking for vegetarian or vegan foods. They have delicious Korean kimchi tacos. Also, I love Sunfrost Farms which has fresh vegetables and fresh natural juices.

What impact does your business strive to have on your community?

Everything I do I hope has an impact on the health of the people who come to my classes or buy my products. I’m always shocked when I get feedback from others on how much I have impacted their lives in a positive way. Especially with young women growing up and learning about their bodies as teens to women growing into maturity. The woman camaraderie is special.

What local businesses do you rely on to be successful?

Mountainview Studio has supported the classes and presentations I’ve given of West African and Brazilian artists since 1988. Also, Susanna Ronner Graphic Designs does all of my graphic design and promotion of my classes and natural perfumes, salves + my new facial oil product lines.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

An Ethiopian or West African restaurant. One of my favorite dishes, the vegetarian combo platter which has lentils, beets, cabbage, split peas and more with  a different spice flavor for each one. Awash in Brooklyn is the best that I have found. I go there every time in come to The City.

Tell us something about yourself that people might be surprised to know.

I’m addicted to watching films. I studied Film in college and took a course called, Filmmakers on Filmmaking and learned about its intricacies from Paul Newman, Woody Allen, Alan Arkin and some other important people in the industry at the New School in Lower Manhattan. I consider The Godfather to be the greatest film ever made and I have watched it over a hundred times. Seriously.

What is your current state of mind?

Happy.

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Take a West African Drum + Dance Class every Saturday at the Mountainview Studio in Woodstock NY
Drum Class starts at 10:30 AM | Dance Class starts at 11:30 AM

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