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Teachers at the Old Town School

Joshua Guy

Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Percussion, Dance Accompanist

Joshua Guy plays and teaches traditional music of West Africa, the Caribbean diaspora and North America. Classically trained in all western percussion and self-taught on multiple string instruments, he has been fortunate enough to travel, live and study with several traditional Master musicians and artists of our time and remains in their debt, and is equally comfortable and adept performing on stage, teaching in the classroom, and playing for traditional rites and ceremonies. In just the past year he was featured at the world renowned Abene Festivalo De Arts in Casamance, Senegal, the Youssouf Koly Dance Conference at the Monument of African Renaissance, Dakar, Senegal, the Texas Democratic Convention, Chicago Summerdance, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago, Lycee Francais, the Old Town School of Folk Music, and held workshops and residencies in over a dozen public and private schools.

As an instrumentalist he has been described as “dynamic and multi-faceted” and a “Professor of Percussion” by Gambian Ambassador Dawda Fadera. He approaches both traditional and modern music with reverence and alacrity, and brings an open minded methodology to teaching and performing traditional styles in a modern, relevant way.

Joshua teaches all ages, skill levels and abilities and enjoys challenging students at every level.

Started at the Old Town School in October of 2008


Private Lessons in the 8-week session beginning 08/28/2023

Mondays 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesdays 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Sundays 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm


Private Lessons in the 8-week session beginning 10/23/2023

Mondays 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Tuesdays 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Saturdays 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Sundays 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm


Group Classes for the session beginning 10/23/2023

Introduction to the Banjo with Joshua Guy

$248 ($228 members)

10/23/2023 – 12/11/2023 (8 meetings)

Mondays · 5:00 PM – 6:20 PM · In-Person @4544 N Lincoln Ave

Banjo 2 with Joshua Guy

$248 ($228 members)

10/23/2023 – 12/11/2023 (8 meetings)

Mondays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM · In-Person @4544 N Lincoln Ave

Banjo 3 with Joshua Guy

$248 ($228 members)

10/23/2023 – 12/11/2023 (8 meetings)

Mondays · 8:00 PM – 9:20 PM · In-Person @4544 N Lincoln Ave

West African Dance 1 with Idy Ciss · Joshua Guy

Dance to live drumming! Experience the spirit of Africa through movement and music. Learn traditional dances that celebrate momentous occasions or support the fundamentals of ceremony. In this high-energy class, your body will come alive and your heart will begin to beat to the rhythm of the drum.

$224 ($204 members)

10/24/2023 – 12/12/2023 (8 meetings)

Tuesdays · 5:00 PM – 6:20 PM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

West African Dance 3 with Idy Ciss · Joshua Guy

$224 ($204 members)

10/24/2023 – 12/12/2023 (8 meetings)

Tuesdays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

West African Dance 1 with Idy Ciss · Joshua Guy

$224 ($204 members)

10/24/2023 – 12/12/2023 (8 meetings)

Tuesdays · 8:00 PM – 9:20 PM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

Rhythms of West Africa for Youth 5-12 years with Joshua Guy

for kids with birthdays between: 10/28/2010 and 11/28/2018

$224 ($204 members)

10/28/2023 – 12/16/2023 (8 meetings)

Saturdays · 10:00 AM – 10:55 AM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

Rhythms of West Africa with Joshua Guy

$248 ($228 members)

10/28/2023 – 12/16/2023 (8 meetings)

Saturdays · 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

West African Dance - Family with Idy Ciss · Joshua Guy

for kids with birthdays between: 11/29/2017 and 10/29/2021

$216 ($196 members)

10/29/2023 – 12/17/2023 (8 meetings)

Sundays · 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

West African Dance 1 with Idy Ciss · Joshua Guy

Dances from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali and more. Live drumming, too!

$224 ($204 members)

10/29/2023 – 12/17/2023 (8 meetings)

Sundays · 10:45 AM – 12:05 PM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave

West African Dance 2 with Idy Ciss · Joshua Guy

Dances from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali and more. Live drumming, too!

$224 ($204 members)

10/29/2023 – 12/17/2023 (8 meetings)

Sundays · 12:15 PM – 1:35 PM · In-Person @4545 N Lincoln Ave