ON THIS PAGE:
Lessons
Workshops (Schools, Corporate, Other)
Performances (Rhythm Method, BandaBrava, world music)
Dance Accompaniment
​Upcoming Events

LESSONS:
FALL 2022:  Group classes for adults in traditional West African Drumming.
Advanced Level: Monday evenings.  Please contact me directly for location and registration information at whitecloud9@shaw.ca.
Beginner Level, Monday evenings; Advanced Level, Friday afternoons. Held at Free House Dance Plus. Online registration available through the Free House website.
Attendance at Advanced Level classes is by audition only.

Private and semi-private lessons available on djembe, dununs, and congas through Free House Dance. (During the Covid pandemic I am unfortunately unable to offer private classes in private homes.)
Please contact me to discuss options and details.

Workshops and Performances are currently unavailable due to Covid restrictions on these activities.  I hope to be able to bring them to you again soon!
West African dance classes ARE underway, at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and Free House Dance, if you'd like to give this lively dance form a try!  Live drumming accompaniment weekly at DJD!

WORKSHOPS:
There are many reasons you might like to hold a drumming workshop.
Perhaps you're looking for something educational and fun, or you're interested in exploring a different way for your employees to work and create together, or perhaps it's a time out for your clients, when they can relax and enjoy making music together.

SCHOOLS:
While many drumming opportunities are focused on grades K - 6, there is a wealth of experiences that can be offered to students in grades 7 -12.
West African drumming repertoire is extensive, and can range from simple combinations of rhythms to diverse and complex polyrhythms. These can be combined with songs and call/response passages to produce full performance arrangements.
There is a natural tie-in to Dance and Movement.  I frequently collaborate with specialists in West African dance, who would be delighted to incorporate a dance component into your students' West African experience.
There are additional tie-ins to Geography and African Culture - each rhythm belongs to a particular ethnic group, and will be played on specific occasions.
I can custom-design workshops for your students, as short as a single class experience, or multiple-class, more in-depth explorations, with or without a culminating performance component.

For examples of past school workshops and projects, please see the About page.

CORPORATE WORKSHOPS:
A West African drumming workshop will give your employees a fun, interactive, team-building experience.
Usual duration 1.0 - 1.5 hours.  Drums provided.
West African dance experiences can be offered in conjunction with drumming workshops.

OTHER GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS:
Drumming workshops can also be tailored for non-profit organizations, residential facilities, private groups, and for special occasions, such as birthday parties.
These can be one-of events, or offered periodically, such as a weekly or monthly workshop with your staff or clients.

For descriptions of past and ongoing workshops, please see the About page.

PERFORMANCES:
Whether you like lively West African drumming and dance, or hot Latin grooves, Rhythm Method and BandaBrava can bring a party to your birthday celebration or corporate event.

Customize your Rhythm Method performance to include drumming or dance instruction for your guests, for a fully interactive experience!
To see Rhythm Method at Circles of Rhythm's Rhythm Cafe (2011) 
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO,
and at Child Watoto fundraiser (2012) CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

To see BandaBrava at Fiestaval, 2013, at Olympic Plaza  CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO.

DANCE ACCOMPANIMENT:
Decidedly Jazz Danceworks provides live drumming accompaniment for all of their West African dance classes - imagine dancing to an ensemble of eight drummers!  I'm usually leading the madness!
CLICK HERE to take a look at a DJD West African Dance class video. 
Watch for Try & Buy weeks at DJD, when you can try out dance classes for $5 each!
My drumming colleagues and I also accompany West African dance classes in local schools, in conjunction with dance programs offered by DJD and independent teachers,

Above:
performing with the Tam Tam Mandingue Drummers in San Diego, CA

UPCOMING EVENTS:
I look forward to bringing you a variety of specialty workshops and classes once we have successfully moved beyond the Covid pandemic.
Stay well, stay safe!

Future workshop offerings will include:
Djembe Soloing workshops - for Advanced students, tips and practice time in creating your own improvised djembe solos, including how to solo for dancers.
Dunun Drum intensive workshops - for the Intermediate drummer wanting to strengthen their traditional-style Dunun playing skills on drum and bell. 
AfroCuban drumming workshops - play some of the fascinating rhythms from Cuba, on congas, bata, and a wide range of percussion instruments.

NEW PRODUCT - GIFT CERTIFICATE:
(This product will again be available once we have moved into Phase 3 of the Covid recovery.) 
Not sure what to get someone for that special occasion?  How about a gift certificate for a drumming session?  They can invite seven friends (hopefully including you!), and I will lead a one-hour drumming session at their party or event!
Special introductory price of $150 (regular price $250).
Please contact me at whitecloud9@shaw.ca to purchase.
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