DSEF Program
Music &
Cultural Education
The culture of New Orleans is celebrated worldwide — yet the history behind its traditions is too often overlooked. DSEF's Music & Cultural Education Program preserves, protects, and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans through integrative arts, gamification, and community learning.
About The Program
Preserving the Soul of New Orleans
The culture of New Orleans is widely celebrated around the world, yet the historical significance behind many of its traditions is often overlooked. Due to gaps in cultural education, these world-renowned practices are not always fully understood or effectively passed down across generations.
Recognizing this challenge, DSEF developed its Music and Cultural Education Program to preserve, protect, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the city. Through integrative arts and gamification, the program educates and empowers youth by fostering a meaningful appreciation for culture while cultivating creativity, innovation, and civic pride.
Support Music Education
Our Curriculum
A Journey Through New Orleans Culture
Courses led by culture bearers take participants on an immersive journey through the history and traditions of New Orleans.
The Transatlantic Slave Trade
Understanding the roots of New Orleans culture — tracing the journey from Africa to Louisiana and the profound cultural legacy that emerged.
Congo Square
The historic gathering place where enslaved Africans preserved their music, dance, and traditions — the birthplace of New Orleans music culture.
Mardi Gras Indians
Exploring the powerful tradition of Black Mardi Gras Indians — their hand-sewn suits, chants, and deep cultural significance to the city.
Brass Band Tradition
From jazz funerals to second lines, the brass band tradition is the heartbeat of New Orleans street culture — a living art form passed down through generations.
Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs
Community organizations that have supported Black New Orleanians for over a century — organizing second lines, mutual aid, and cultural celebration.
Modern New Orleans Music
The evolution of jazz, blues, bounce, and beyond — understanding how New Orleans music has shaped global culture and continues to evolve today.
Community Partnership
The Hot 8 Brass Band
DSEF is proud to partner with the legendary Hot 8 Brass Band — the band that Dinerral Shavers himself played with before his passing. Through community events, live performances, and educational workshops, the Hot 8 Brass Band helps DSEF inspire the next generation of musicians and culture bearers in New Orleans.
Music is the language of New Orleans. When young people understand where our music comes from, they understand who they are.
Program Details
Learning Through Arts & Experience
DSEF's Music & Cultural Education Program takes participants on an immersive journey through the history of New Orleans. Courses are led by culture bearers and provide a hands-on, experiential learning environment that brings history and tradition to life through artistic expression.
- Courses led by New Orleans culture bearers
- Integrative arts and gamification techniques
- Hands-on, experiential learning environment
- Free to all youth participants
- Connected to DSEF's Back to School Extravaganza
In His Memory
Honoring Dinerral Shavers
Dinerral Shavers was an educator, musician, entrepreneur, and Orleans Parish Civil Sheriff's deputy who was tragically killed in December 2006. He was a musician with the Hot 8 Brass Band and a music teacher at L.E. Rabouin High School — a man who believed deeply in the power of music and education to transform lives.
The Dinerral Shavers Educational Fund was founded by his sister, Nakita Shavers, to honor his legacy and continue the work he believed in. Through the Music & Cultural Education Program, DSEF keeps Dinerral's spirit alive — connecting New Orleans youth to the culture he loved and the traditions he taught.
Musician — Hot 8 Brass Band
Music Teacher — L.E. Rabouin High School
Orleans Parish Civil Sheriff's Deputy
Entrepreneur & Community Leader
As Seen In
Dinerral's Story Has Been Told
The story of Dinerral Shavers and the work of DSEF has been featured in major national productions.
Storm of Murder
48 Hours Mystery — CBS
One Crime at a Time
CNN
When the Levees Broke & If God Is Willing
Spike Lee — HBO
Treme — Season 2
HBO
Make an Impact
Keep the Culture Alive
Your support helps DSEF preserve New Orleans culture, fund free music education, and honor the legacy of Dinerral Shavers — one young musician at a time.