Oakland University professor Mark Stone, has partnered with world renowned African musician Bernerd Woma, to give OU students the opportunity to study at Woma’s Dagara Music Center, located outside of Accra in Ghana.

“Professor Stone’s program on drumming and dance not only adds the dimension of performing arts, but creates an environment in which Ghanaians are the master teachers for our students who will bring back to us what they’ve learned from others abroad,” Brian Connery, director of international education and study at OU, said.

Applications are due by Feb. 1 for students who are interested in the inaugural trip to the Dagara Music Center in Ghana.

The program is open to all OU students and will take place July 9 through Aug. 3.

The Dagara Music Center was established 11 years ago to educate international students on African music and culture.

“I want to go to Ghana because a lot of the music I have studied so far has been from Ghana,” Anna Falkoski, world music and music education student at OU said.

Students will visit Cape Cost, Tamale and Kumasi.

Stone picked the locations for their significance in African culture and life, as well as their historical significance.

Stone said that Cape Cost was a former slave trade capital in West Africa and that students will have the opportunity to explore historical museums.

“You don’t have to be a music expert to go on this trip, you just have to want to learn about a country through the arts,” Stone said.

Students will chose between two different four credit classes to attend while at the Dagara Music Center and the Dagara staff will teach both classes.

The cost of the trip is $2,500, including everything except for airfare and tuition.

For more information, contact Mark Stone at [email protected].

Contact staff reporter Chris Lauritsen via e-mail at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @ChrisLaurtsen