The Akonting: Banjo Ancestor: Illustrated Poem Story of an African Legacy (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781484898628)

Steve Levitt authored the historical fiction young reader book "Journey to the Mountain-A Roots Tale" about the multi-ethnic origins of America's traditional folk dance, clogging. He also choreographed and directed the percussive dance concert "Clogging: Back to the Roots-A Creation Myth." As a member of 'Artists in Schools' he combined music, song, dance and storytelling in a program to teach history in North Carolina schools. Steve wrote and performed the poem "From Africa to Blue Grass Sound, Let the Strings of Akonting Resound" in a number of venues and, with modifications and elaboration, it later became the basis for this book (see more at www.duelingshoes.com). Steve is a student of West African percussion, a multi-instrumentalist and Southern Appalachian percussive dance choreographer and co-founder of the dance group 'Dueling Shoes.' He is also a well published physician and research scientist, former Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at a major University medical school and President of Pain Resource Center, Inc. where he developed the internationally recognized clinical assessment tool, the 'TMJ Scale.' Steve lives with his wife Joan and their beagle Ziggy on a farm in North Carolina where they raise miniature donkeys and enjoy being an active part of the wonderful music and dance community where they live.