Victoria Boateng

Victoria Boateng is an autism advocate. She was diagnosed with autism when she was three years old. Victoria did not begin speaking until she was 7 years old. After many challenges, she discovered drumming, and it opened a new world to her. Victoria uses her gift of djembe to inspire the autism community and women of all races, genders, and creeds. She graduated from Western Illinois University in December 2012 with a bachelor's degree in communication and a minor in theater. After graduation, Victoria studied West African drumming with master drummer Bolokoda Conde and Michael Taylor. Victoria is now a substitute teacher at Old Town School of Folk Music and a drum teacher at Ruth Page Center for the Arts. She is also an apprentice performer/drummer in an all-female drum and dance company, Ayodele Drum and Dance, She Wolf Sacred Movement, and a drum facilitator at Sista Afya.

Victoria leads monthly classes for the disability community, teaching attendees drumming. You can learn more about Victoria and her classes on her website.