Fall 2026 OLLI Digital Catalog

QUICK LINKS — OLLI home page | OLLI digital catalog home | Questions? Email olli-online@udel.edu

Fall classes start September 8 — Priority Registration available July 30-August 11, details coming soon!

THE BEAT IS THE HISTORY (G556-2)

G – History

Lewes (Trinity Faith Education Building) | September 10, 2026-November 19, 2026

Thursday: 12:45 PM-2:00 PM

This is a hybrid course. One section meets on site at the location listed; and one section meets online only.

A five-part course exploring music of the Americas as a living system shaped by rhythm, movement and culture. Through Beat Routes (paths and tributaries that delivered people and rhythms), participants trace how polyrhythm and harmony with migration transformed music across the Americas to create everything from samba, bluegrass, R&B, salsa and techno. Music is presented as a connected, evolving system of memory and expression. Involves playing vintage and modern instruments.

This offering meets for a total of 11 session(s).

INSTRUCTORS: Herman Boyd, Chris Johansen

BOYD, HERMAN — Retired DuPont executive with a lifelong interest in music, started the Echoes & Footprints podcast and nonprofit to research and teach about the history of the music of the Americas. This award-winning podcast about the African diasporic roots of American music has been featured on Delmarva Public Media.

JOHANSEN, CHRIS — A mostly-retired digital specialist, Chris supports the Echoes & Footprints music history nonprofit with anything digital. He is a trombonist, started a community orchestra in Philadelphia, a podcast producer and digital marketing expert. He loves experimenting with anything AI.

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