On Friday, October 3, Rye Country Day students enjoyed energetic performances from Àkójọpọ̀ Music Foundation, a global organization centered around Pan-African art, music, and culture.  The concert was a part of the Priscilla M. Liebman Memorial Concert, an annual performance series designed to introduce RCDS students to a variety of music and artists from across different cultures and communities.

Àkójọpọ̀’s concerts celebrate Pan-African music’s cultural richness and significance across diverse communities and diasporas. Based in Chicago, the organization supports a network of artists, educators, and communities across the African diaspora, fostering collaboration, innovation, and cultural preservation on a global scale.

In captivating concerts for each division, three Àkójọpọ̀ collaborators performed an entertaining and educational repertoire. Nolan Nwachukwu (Bass), Naledi Masilo (Vocals + Keyboard), and Kabelo Mokhatla (Drums + Vocals) offered insights into the history and structure of Pan-African art and music, its meaning to communities around the world, and its potential to bring people together.
Nolan Nwachukwu is a New York City–based bassist, composer, and producer who performs and tours internationally with acclaimed artists and ensembles across the jazz and contemporary music scenes.
Naledi Masilo is a South African vocalist, educator, and storyteller based in New York City whose globally acclaimed work blends jazz and African traditions to celebrate culture, empower women, and inspire change through music.

Kabelo Mokhatla is a South African drummer, composer, and bandleader based in New York City whose genre-blending jazz fuses South African roots with global influences to create music that uplifts, heals, and inspires reflection.

About the Priscilla M. Liebman Memorial Concert
The Priscilla M. Liebman Memorial Concert is an annual performance series that was established to introduce RCDS students to a multitude of music and artists spanning cultures and communities. 

The Priscilla M. Liebman Memorial Concert Series was endowed through the generosity of Alan L. and Jacqueline B. Stuart in 1992, honoring the memory of their dear friend, Priscilla M. Liebman, Rye Country Day’s Director of Development and Alumni Affairs from 1975 to 1990. 

The late Mr. Stuart, a former RCDS trustee, and Mrs. Stuart have three daughters who attended the RCDS: Elizabeth Stuart '88, Lynne Stuart '86, and Tori Stuart '83. This concert series stands as a lasting tribute to both his deep appreciation for world culture and his strong connection to the RCDS community. 

Rye Country Day School is deeply grateful for the leadership and generosity of the Stuart family in establishing this vital performance series that brings joy to our students and faculty, as well as understanding and appreciation of the art and music of different cultures around the world.