Get your Team Inspired and Unified
African Drumming - Team Building Events and Interactive Workshops - Increased productivity
African Drumming & Dance for Schools
& Community Organisations
Are you looking for something innovative and fun to promote creativity, introduce cultural awareness and inspire a sense of community amongst students?
Do you have Multi-Cultural Events Days, Global Events Days, Theatre Projects, School Holiday Programs, School Open Days or run education programs?
Kids have an innate attraction to drums and rhythm and get a real opportunity to express themselves through African Drumming classes. Over the past several years I've facilitated hundreds of student workshops at kindergartens, schools, after-care centres, festivals and private functions. We cater for all ages, including toddlers and Special Needs clients.
If preferred we can mix the workshop with a performance by our African drummers and dancers too. Contact us for a quote and more information.
Check out some of our workshops on Video - Links
Perfect for:
Aims
- Create a fun, non-intimidating environment, which inspires learning, group participation and is void of social barriers.
- Heighten multi-cultural awareness through the vibrant music and traditions of Africa.
- Introduce basic rhythmic concepts through African drumming, singing, dancing and body percussion.
Benefits
African drumming is fantastic for promoting listening skills and interaction, and teaches children the benefits of working as a team, risk taking and trusting one another. It stimulates coordination and creativity by motivating both halves of the brain to communicate with each other. Simultaneously, it encourages improvisation, concentration and relaxation. African Drumming also possesses powerful healing and stress relief properties.
Most importantly, playing in a group gives the children a sense of belonging and community. Each instrument played is an integral part of the whole. Instantly accessible rhythms give an immediate sense of achievement that builds confidence.
Primary and High School Levels
Everyone will have a drum and shakers to play.
We focus on making the w'shops as inclusive as possible, allowing the kids to freely express themselves and have lots of fun. The idea is to replicate the way the drum and dance are intertwined into African culture. Where you have drumming, you have dance!
We will also do a quick performance for all the students at the start of each session and talk about the history and culture of the music. It's nice to allow a few questions at the end too.
Students will learn:
- basic techniques, simple rhythms and traditional songs
- simple dance steps
- elements of history, global community and multi-cultural awareness
- Can cater for up to 1000 students (all you need to provide is a suitable area).
- All our Teachers wear traditional costume
Extended School Programs
Over the past few years we have implemented 6 -10 week drum and dance programs into the music curriculum of several schools. We can cater to a broad range of year levels and work towards a School Concert with all the groups coming together and showcasing what they have learnt in a performance.
From 10 - 300 students one day a week, working on -
- African Drumming, Singing & Dancing techniques.
- Musical Concepts and Multi cultural awareness
- Connecting students through Inclusive community music.
- Developing a performance piece that will be showcased at a big school concert at the end of the program
We provide drum and instruments for every student and can offer incursions or excursions for small to large groups.
Talk to us about potential packages for your schools needs. We have extensive experience preparing grant applications for schools too.
"The sessions were fantastic. The kids have not stopped talking about it, they really had a fantastic experience. The teachers raved about it. I have only been teaching for two years but I think that this was the best incursion we have had in that time. All the teachers agree that it is definitely one to repeat. Thank you so much for making the whole process easy and enjoyable. It was so easy to organise" Janice McPhan - Strathaird Primary School
Kindergarten Workshops
We aim on making the workshop as inclusive and fun as possible for all the children by giving them a chance to explore their creativity, feel a sense of community, and let off some energy too. We try to make it as fun as possible but also educational.
We play “The African Jungle Game” using the drums and shakers and introduce the music through storytelling and appealing to their imaginations.
Toddler Workshops
Mums and Bubs - A chance for parents and bubs to mingle with others and make a racket using lots of fun percussive. instruments. Very successful on a social level in bringing people together especially young and single Mums.
Special Needs Workshops
We have extensive experience working with children and adults with all kids of disabilities.
Everyone will have a drum to play and we will bring lots of other shakers, bells etc .
We can also offer a little African dance if some of the the kids are keen.
We focus on making the w'shops as inclusive as possible, allowing participants to freely express themselves and have lots of fun.
Excursions to our African Studio
Normally, we travel to you, however, your students can come to our Cultural Centre in St Kilda and be inspired by and feel part of a genuine African environment. Caters for up to 50 BIg Kids (70 little ones!)
Recent Clients
VICTORIA
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Testimonials
"The sessions were fantastic. The kids have not stopped talking about it, they really had a fantastic experience on the day. The teachers raved about it. I have only been teaching for two years but I think that this was the best incursion we have had in that time. All the teachers agree that it is definitely one to repeat. Thank you so much for making the whole process easy and enjoyable. It was so easy to organise."
Janice McPhan
Strathaird Primary School
"The whole school enjoyed the visit, Shabba was very chrismatic and engaging during the challenging but achievable program . This left our students feeling very proud of their efforts. The performance at the end of the day was a big success with all the comments from the parents and other community members very positive. We would definately recommend you to other schools! Thank you for your assistance, it was wonderful that both Alena and Shabba were so organised, it greatly helped me with the preparation and running of the day."
Jemima Hull
Willowmavin Primary School
"Simon was professional, interacted well with his audience and showed a vibrant spirit. I would recommend Simon as a Drum Workshop facilitator for Community Centres and events, festivals and schools."
Rosemary Brown
Youth Services Officer, Hume City Council
“The students were captivated by the music. Each one was inspired to participate, promoting a wonderful sense of group cohesion. The experience remained with the students long after the session was over. I would highly recommend African Drumming as a wonderful resource for schools to use.”
Mary Jane Clark
Anglican Girls School, Essendon
"Simon Fraser facilitated drumming workshops and led a drumming parade as part of the Welcome Day, a performance project for refugee and newly arrived teenagers by Westside Circus in October this year. Simon led the group with a beautiful and dynamic energy that was able to engage and inspire an enthusiastic group of young people. The participants have said that the drumming was one of the project highlights for them and it was excellent for us to see all of the smiling faces responding so keenly to the workshops! Simon also ran workshops for the general public on the day of the performance and was an absolute pleasure to have involved in the project."
Naomi Steinborner
Westside Circus
