About Donte & Shar

“African Drumming has the power to bring people together. No matter what age, background, or color….rhythm connects us.”

— Donté McDaniel

My wife and I are professionally acclaimed artists who go by the name “African Drum Interactive ®” because of our skills in engaging students through rhythm.

As a tradition, West African Drumming is only to be shared by cultural bearers (one who dedicates their life to preserving and passing on a tradition). Not only are we cultural bearers, we educate, expand students worldview through cultural arts, teach about the importance of community, and are true entertainers who light up the stage!

We believe that when students learn about other cultures, they learn the importance of community: to encourage, support celebrate, and connect with one another. Our performances cultivate school culture by bringing students together.

We want to know that when you book us, you are booking a powerful duo who will bring more than just African Drums to your school. We bring Culture, Community, Connection® and positivity experiences through African Drumming.

Donte & Shar - African Drum Interactive!

Donté McDaniel

YOUR PERFORMER & INSTRUCTOR

"I  am the lead drummer, soloist, instructor, and curriculum developer for each program my wife and I deliver. I began my percussionist journey when  I was only 7 years old by playing drum set at my church and was a percussionist in band throughout all my school years. I started learning how to play the djembe in 2007 and began performing periodically.  In 2014, I started to deliver my own performances and programs. My true path to becoming a young Djembeföla began when I became apprentice to Djembe Master Mamady "Wadaba" Kourouma. It is because of Wadaba that my love for the djembe has grown, my sound has been refined, and my understanding of culture has been deeper than what I would have ever imagined! 
My passion for working with families and kids comes from my background as a Social Worker. I studied at Fresno Pacific University and Fresno State University where I obtained my Masters of Social Work Degree with an emphasis in Child Welfare.  During my studies, I researched, created, and delivered African Drumming programming for schools, after school programs, community health and engagement programs, social justice initiatives, and more.  
I believe that students need exposure to other Cultural Art Forms because it teaches us to celebrate eachother, our uniqueness, and positively impacts our communities. However, integrity and ethics in sharing traditional arts in school require a traditional artist to prevent assimilation (aka- teaching the djembe as "just any other drum" removes the cultural context). This is why I do what I do! I was born and raised in Selma, California, but my ancestral family dates back to West Africa. Through this gift I have, I am able to honor my ancestors and a lost history as an African American. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE being able to provide students the opportunity witness professional African Drumming performances and learn West African style djembe. As a cultural bearer, I am blessed to be in a position where I can serve as a bridge to connect our students with African culture through drumming."

- Donté McDaniel, MSW, Performer, and Djembe Instructor

SHAR McDaniel

YOUR PERFORMER & DANCE INSTRUCTOR

"Hi, I am Shar. I am a Dununföla, performer, and dance instructor.  Since 2014, I have been mastering West African rhythms. I obtained my Bachelor of Business of Administration Degree from Fresno Pacific University with an emphasis in NonProfit Management. 
I have always had a heart to serve our community and uplift our youth. I love that I get to do this through sharing African drumming with our students. I've seen how my husband and I have brought entire schools together through dancing, singing, drumming and having fun together during assemblies. African drumming, singing, and dance bring a true sense of connection and happiness when we all do it together.
I love being a Dununföla because I  provide the foundational beat for people to experience true West African Rhythms. In each program and performance, I provide the underlying rhythmic support which resembles the focus of African culture....Community. Each program, I see students who have no experience drumming begin to smile and have fun while they spontaneously sync in with the rhythm. It's a powerful moment to witness! I also teach African Dancing during our performances and programs because movement is foundational to how our kids learn and experience the world. Each program we do is important to me because it is an opportunity to connect students through music and culture.

-Sharessa McDaniel, BA, Performer, Dance Instructor