Drum! + Sing! + Dance! + Grow! = Register Now!

West African Drumming

The djembe has become one of the most popular instruments in the world. And we have some of the most skilled instructors of this traditional West African instrument in the Southeast! Colleen Caffrey, Amy Jackson, and Robin “Boutourabi”Leftwich are all experienced teachers who have travelled to Africa and studied extensively with the great Guinean masters of the djembe.

Whether you are new to hand drumming or are an experienced djembefola, you’ll find a class that will meet you where you’re at and challenge you to go further. Offerings include introductory djembe, all levels djembe, and a special workshop on how to play djembe solos with traditional West African dance!

Plus, discover dunun empowerment! These cylindrical drums, played with sticks provide the melodic bass line of the Malinke drumming ensemble. If your community’s drum circle or ensemble doesn’t include them, find out how you can bring a ton more juice to your groove! If you’ve dabbled in dun but feel spastic coordinating two-handed rhythms, step into a new realm of rhythmic dexterity. And learn underlying rhythmic archetypes that you can apply to other instruments (including djembe), help you learn future rhythms faster, and spice up any drum circle.

Japanese Taiko-Style Drumming

Have you had a secret yearning to pound on something other than a table with no consequence? Have you wanted to express your inner “ferocity” in a positive way? Taiko is a great way to unleash your inner potential and your inner drummer. Play with ease using your entire body and your voice to create an energetic and rhythmic flow.
Elaine Fong, founder of Odaiko New England leads this visceral style of drumming. She’ll demonstrate the technique on authentic Japanese taiko drums. The class will play on easy-to-make “trash-can taiko” and we’ll send you home with instructions on how you can make your own!

Sekere with Mama Yeye

Sekere (Shay-ka-ray) is an African hand drum made from a gourd strung with Beads, nuts, shells or seeds.Today, Sekeres are played in bands, drum circles, parades, choirs, worship celebrations, live concerts and festivals all over the world. Mama Yeye (The Sekere Woman of Atlanta) leads this exciting workshop experience by teaching you the proper warmup exercises, technique, styles, rhythms to perform your instrument like the professionals. She will also challenge you to play,move and sing while playing this wonderful percussive instrument.

Sing

Impromptu Glorous Chorus™

Elise Witt leads a low-pressure, high-pleasure session of glorious group singing, teaching in a style so easy that, before you know it, the room is in perfect harmony! Drawing from her love of diverse melodies and rhythms, Elise may introduce a Brazilian samba, a Congolese storysong, an Italian round, or four-part harmonies from Zimbabwe. There are lots of songs in English, including songs from the African American tradition, quirky rounds, food songs, Bobby McFerrin style Circle Songs, Elise originals, and lots more!. All of the songs are broken down into easily learnable parts and become thrilling to sing in a group. Whether you’ve sung all your life or think you “can’t carry a tune in a bucket,” in no time at all, you’ll find yourself part of an Impromptu Glorious Chorus™.

TaKeTiNa – Rhythm, Movement, and Meditation

Discover an innovative path to inner stillness and universal connection through rhythm. TaKeTiNa is a group process using the body as an instrument to unlock our innate rhythmic wisdom and our inner knowing.

TaKeTiNa allows anyone, novice or professional, to learn at their own pace and maximize their musical potential by engaging participants in a direct kinesthetic experience of natural rhythmic laws. In a series of playful “journeys” we gradually build layers of rhythm – chanting, stepping, clapping, and eventually singing together in beautiful group harmonies.

As we relax our rational minds and allow our body’s intuition to guide us, we open a window to a state of expanded consciousness in which a sense of joy, peace, and universal connection can arise, and a personal journey of self-discovery can unfold. It’s a moving meditation that will close our weekend in community and harmony.

West African Dance with Christan Carter-Poret

Percussive Dance with Marietou Cisse

Beginning Belly Dance with Ru Davis