Richmond Folk Festival in Schools

The Richmond Folk Festival once again fills auditoriums and classrooms at Richmond-area schools with performances and presentations of deeply rooted cultural expressions shared by some of the country’s finest traditional artists. These programs expose children to performances by excellent artists and provide them with opportunities to learn about new cultures, communities, and artistic traditions, expanding their horizons with interactive, multicultural learning experiences. These outreach programs often reach students with limited access to cultural enrichment opportunities.

This year, the festival will continue its outreach to incarcerated communities as gospel singer Cora Harvey Armstrong visits the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, where she will perform and share a musical collaboration with the residents there.

These programs are made possible through the generous support of the festival’s sponsors, especially its school shows partner, JAMinc, who provides transportation, audio support, and local on-site coordination.

2024 participating performers*

●      John Doyle & the Irish American Music Masters (Irish)

●      Peni Candra Rini (Javanese sindhen)

●      Rancho Aparte (Colombian chirimía music)

●      Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sounds (Cajun)

●      Supaman (Native American hip hop)

●      Tremé Brass Band (New Orleans brass band)

●      Ustad Noor Bakhsh (benju master)

2024 participating schools*

●      Armstrong High School

●      Thomas C. Boushall Middle School

●      George W. Carver Elementary School

●      Chimborazo Elementary School

●      William Fox Elementary School

●      Henry Marsh Elementary School

●      John Marshall High School

●      Southampton Elementary

●      Westover Hills Elementary

*Artists and schools are subject to change.