Aya Cultural Arts Studio

12/31/2025

✨ Kuumba — Creativity ✨

Today we honor Kuumba, the sixth principle of Kwanzaa, which calls us to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

At Aya Cultural Arts, creativity is more than art—it is a responsibility. Through drumming, drama, movement, poetry, and visual expression, we nurture imagination, ancestral wisdom, and the power of self-expression across generations.

May we continue to create with purpose, build with intention, and uplift our community through the arts.
🖤❤️💚

12/30/2025

Just two days left!
To get 10% off African drumming ensemble registration. ——> www.ayaarts.com/african-drumming

12/30/2025

Day 5 of Kwanzaa – Nia (Purpose) 🕯️

Today we honor Nia, the principle of purpose—our collective commitment to build and develop our community in ways that restore our people to their traditional greatness.

At Aya Cultural Arts, Nia lives in every drumbeat, melody, word, and piece of art shared across generations. Our purpose is to nurture creativity, cultural knowledge, and connection—especially for our youth—so that art becomes a pathway to identity, healing, and collective growth. You’ve heard me say it before…we are all elders in training!

May today invite reflection on your gifts and how they serve something greater than yourself. When we move with purpose, we move together.

Harambee!

12/28/2025

Ujima — Collective Work & Responsibility 🤎

Ujima reminds us that we are stronger together. At Aya Cultural Arts, nothing we build happens in isolation. We thrive because of shared effort, mutual care, and a commitment to lifting one another through culture and creativity.

From families who have been with us since the start, to artists who pour their gifts into teaching, to community partners who believe in the power of the arts—we carry this work together. When one of us grows, we all grow. When challenges arise, we meet them as a community, not alone.

Aya Arts exists as a living example of Ujima: solving problems collectively, celebrating victories together, and taking responsibility for nurturing the next generation through African drumming, dance, poetry, and cultural education.

We are deeply grateful for our community—for your trust, your support, and your willingness to build something meaningful side by side with us. Thank you for being part of the work, the rhythm, and the responsibility. 🌿🪘

12/28/2025

THROWBACK!
I don’t know which job makes me a more goofy person, teaching, or voice acting

12/27/2025

Kujichagulia — Self-Determination ✨

At Aya Cultural Arts, Kujichagulia lives in everything we do. It is the choice to define ourselves, tell our own stories, and create spaces where culture, creativity, and community lead the way. From African drumming and acting to poetry and visual art, we honor traditions while empowering each person—youth and elders alike—to find and express their voice.

This studio exists because of self-determination, resilience, and the belief that our culture deserves to be taught, shared, and celebrated on our own terms whether in our own brick and mortar space or out in the community.

We are deeply grateful to every family, artist, student, collaborator, and supporter who has walked with us, learned with us, and built with us. Your presence strengthens this space and affirms why Aya Arts still exists.

As we honor Kujichagulia, we reaffirm our commitment to purpose, perseverance, and community-rooted arts education. Thank you for choosing Aya Arts and for helping us shape a future grounded in culture and connection. 🌿🪘

KwanzaaPrinciples FrederickMD ArtWithPurpose

12/26/2025

✨ Happy Kwanzaa from Aya Cultural Arts Studio ✨

Habari Gani!
As we celebrate Kwanzaa, we honor the Nguzo Saba—the Seven Principles that guide reflection, creativity, and collective growth:

🕯 Umoja (Unity) – To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race
🕯 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) – To define, name, and speak for ourselves
🕯 Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) – To build and maintain our community together
🕯 Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) – To support and uplift each other’s businesses and resources
🕯 Nia (Purpose) – To build and develop our community with intention
🕯 Kuumba (Creativity) – To do always as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful than we inherited it
🕯 Imani (Faith) – To believe in our people, our ancestors, and our future

We are grateful to serve our community through cultural arts, music, and education. May this season bring reflection, connection, and renewal.

🖤❤️💚

AfricanDiaspora CulturalArts BlackCreativity Umoja Kuumba

12/22/2025

Come Drum With Us! 🎶🪘🎶

Aya Cultural Arts Studio is excited to offer an African Drumming Performance Ensemble right here in Frederick, MD, open to ALL ages and experience levels.

📍 Location: I Believe in Me – 8440 Gas House Pike, Frederick
📅 Mondays | Jan 26 – Mar 30, 2026
⏰ 6:30 – 7:30 PM

This class is a welcoming space to learn and experience the rich traditions of West African drumming while building connection, confidence, and community. No prior drumming experience is required—just a willingness to listen, learn, and play together.

Participants will:

🪘 Learn traditional rhythms, breaks, and polyrhythms
🎶 Sing accompanying songs
🤝 Build coordination, focus, and ensemble skills
🌍 Have opportunities to perform at community events in Frederick

Aya Cultural Arts serves the Frederick area through cultural arts education for several years, and we’re excited to continue creating spaces where music brings people together across generations.

✨ Spots are limited. Learn more or register at:
👉 ayaarts.com

Please feel free to share with families, neighbors, and anyone looking for a meaningful community experience through music.

LocalEvents 🪘🎶

12/11/2025

Listen. If I had to struggle through it…so will you. lol 😆

11/12/2025

🌺 Important Announcement from Aya Cultural Arts Studio 🌺

After much reflection, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Golden Mile location. Low fall enrollment and a series of personal emergencies have made it hard to sustain operations there.

But this isn’t goodbye — just a transition. 💛
✨ Winter classes will continue in Frederick
✨ Workshops + other classes will move to our Clarksburg studio

Join us for our final celebration at Golden Mile on Friday, Nov 14 and Saturday, Nov 15 — a weekend of community, creativity, and love:
🎤 Poetry Party Open Mic (hosted by A Poetry Life Events) Friday 7-9PM | $15 cover
🎵 3rd Saturday Rhythm Jam Saturday 2-4 Free and open to all!

🛍️ Retail sales all day

Come celebrate with us as we close this chapter and prepare for what’s next. Thank you for being part of our beautiful Aya community.

11/07/2025

Come check out the open mic tonight at Aya Arts 7-10PM!
Also check out some other FAME events around the area.

Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise Upcoming Events Our Concerts & FAME Workshops Celebration of Acoustic Music FAME Sponsored Open Mics Member Sponsored Open Mics Song Circles Member Gigs The goals of Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise are: (1) To nurture, promote and preserve original and traditi...

10/28/2025

Tomorrow is not promised. Love as much as you can today. Now. One love