Akoma Camp

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Feb 2009

Akoma Camp is a fantastic summer dance and theater camp for kids ages 5-11. I cannot recommend it highly enough. The camp's director is Madeleine Rogin, who teaches kindergarten and dance at Prospect Sierra School in El Cerrito. Madeleine has an MA in Theater and Dance with a focus on African Dance, and has been teaching African dance and creative movement to kids for the past eleven years. We first met her when we enrolled our then four-year-old son in a creative movement class at the Berkeley YMCA. He was immediately taken with Madeleine, absolutely loved her class and has been practicing his dance moves pretty much daily ever since. Madeleine has a wonderful rapport with children. She is a gifted dancer and teacher who has fun with the kids and engages them imaginatively in movement. She also knows her stuff and is firm and professional when necessary. My son attended her summer camp two years ago and loved it. Madeleine and Nikki, her co-director, were extremely attentive and nurturing with him and with all the campers, who ranged in age from 4-12. The kids learned West African dance and hip hop and performed in weekly shows for parents and friends. The camp is small and intimate and the kids seemed mutually supportive and very happy. It's also a great camp for BOYS who like to dance. This summer, Akoma camp will run sessions from 3-7 August and 10-14 August. The address is 1938 Bonita Ave. Berkeley, (510) 558-0975. Akoma Fan

May 2006

AKOMA: African Dance/theater camp

My 8-year-old daughter has been taking African Dance classes with Madeleine Rogin, a *wonderful* teacher! She's doing a summer camp with her, as well. Here's info about the camp for those who may be interested: ''This summer come celebrate dance, theater and music! Akoma Camp is an African Dance and Theater camp for children ages 5-11. Children will learn about rhythm, musicality, improvisation, choreography, and how to work together to create a performance for family and friends. Akoma Camp is led by Madeleine Rogin, a substitute teacher at Step One School, and a graduate of a Masters' program in Theater and Dance from the University of New Mexico. There will be two sessions: Session I is July 24 - 28, and Session II is July 31 - August 4. The fee for each session is $250, with the option of doing both weeks at $450. Camp time is from 9-3 and extended care will be available from 3-5 daily, at $8 an hour. Please contact Madeleine Rogin at 558-0975 or at madrogin[AT]hotmail.com for registration information.'' loridair