Friends like these…

Welcome to our affiliates page, where we promote the classes of our good friends. We don’t handle the administration or bookings for these locations, but we like to support them by giving them air-time on our site. We also have a standing invitation to these classes to join us for Tribalism!

If you’re interested in joining one of these crews, please get in touch with the teacher directly

Brianna Slattery

Regular African Drumming Classes across Northern Victoria
– Wangaratta, Beechworth, Albury, Benalla, Tallangatta

After 10 years of playing the piano, Brianna bought her first djembe at the age of 18 – and promptly fell in love with African drumming!  This sparked an interest in all things percussive, which in turn led her to participate in African drumming, Brazilian percussion and body percussion workshops; become a facilitator of a drumming intervention/wellbeing program; and complete the L1, L2, & L3 facilitator training with African Drumming. As a primary school teacher, Brianna has been teaching drumming to school students for the past seven years. She is passionate about the use of the drum as a teaching tool, and is currently completing a Masters thesis on drumming and student engagement.  Brianna believes that being a member of a drumming community has far reaching-benefits, including: enhancing musicality, building relationships, boosting confidence and improving general well being.

Djulz @ Soul Circles Drumming

Selby

Contact: Djulz – 0427 478 221
Links: Email Facebook

Regular African Drumming Classes:
Location…………..….. Selby Community House

djulz SC Rediscover your natural rhythms through the beat of the drum and be introduced to the art of the Djembe! You’ll learn Djembe technique, percussion and traditional rhythms from West Africa, and how these rhythms and stories are applicable in our context. You will also be guided in using the instrument as a vehicle for your own improvisation and expression, and in the different ways that you may choose to integrate drumming into your life. Sessions will include integration of the body to the instrument, instruction on technique, body percussion and chanting.

Sydney

Saul Smith @ Soul Drummer

Contact: 1300 88 47 55

Runs regular African drumming courses in 4 locations across Sydney.

Catering for beginner to advanced level.
Saul is committed to sharing a passion for drumming, music and life with the community. It is all about connecting individuals, creating community and celebrating life through rhythm. With over 15 years experience, Soul Drummer’s highly professional and experienced team offer their community classes across Sydney”

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Newcastle

Benjie Williams @ Earthen Rhythms

benjie

Contact: Benjie Williams –  0407 177 564

Regular African Drumming Classes:
Days…………………..Wednesdays, (& Fridays soon to be!)
Levels…………………Beginners (6pm – 7pm), Intermediate (starts 7.30pm)
Location…………..….Hamilton, (Newcastle), NSW. Classes also being started in Maitland and Port Stephens.

List of current and upcoming classes: http://earthenrhythms.org/?page_id=15

Benjie`s journey in West African drumming and percussion began in 1998. He drums with great joy and high energy, conveying a mix of traditional rhythms fused with modern beats.

He has trained with some of the worlds leading djembe masters, Mamady Keita, Epizo Bangoura, Mohamed Bangoura, Sibo Bangoura & Pape Mbaye. He has also studied with Arthur Hull world leader of Drum Circle Facilitation from Village Music Circles.

His dynamic drumming is married with songs, movement and body percussion that bring the vibrancy of rhythms to life. For workshops, Benjie’s patient teaching style reaches into the roots of Africa and provides participants with an uplifting experience that encourages freedom of expression, community, connection and fun.

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Coffs Harbour

Tony Foote @ Coffs Coast Drums

Tony Foote

 

Contact: Tony Foote – 0422 377 510

Links: Email  Website  Facebook

Regular African Drumming Classes:
Days…………………..Tuesday 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Levels…………………Beginners
Location…………..….Sawtell Guide Hall, Minorie Drive, Toormina, NSW

List of current and upcoming classes: http://www.coffscoastdrums.org.au/

Townsville

Alex Salvador @ The Rhythm Connection

Contact: Alex Salvador – 0414 803 666
Links – Email   Website  Facebook  Performance group

When – Saturday night closest to the night of the Full Moon from 6:00 – 7:30pm
Where – The Strand Amphitheater (The Strand/Gregory Street North Ward, Townsville)

Stay updated: Townsville Drum Circle Facebook group

Events & Services:
Full Moon Drum Circle, private classes available

Alex DjembeAlex Salvador lives in Townsville North Queensland and has been playing Congas, Djembe and Dunduns since 1997. He is the group leader of West African (Hamanah-style) drumming group, Wassa Rhythms of West Africa.

Alex has learned under various teachers including Famoudou Konate in Guinea, Mamady Keita, Mohamed Bangoura, Sibo Bangoura and Mohamed Lamine Bangoura in Australia.

Alex is the founder and facilitator of Townsville’s renowned Full Moon Drum Circle – a monthly event established in 2001 that regularly attracts up to 600 people. He has performed and delivered drum circles at hundreds of local events & festivals, and has performed and recorded as a percussionist with several bands.

Alex builds and repairs djembes and dunduns at his home in Townsville, using shells from West Africa and skins sourced both from Africa and Australia.

Hobart

Tara Tucker @ Drum up big

Contact: Tara Tucker –  0432 399 332
Links: 
Email  Website

Regular African Drumming Classes:
Days…………………..Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Levels………………… level 1 & level 2
Location…………..….Sandy Bay, Newtown & Moonah

List of current and upcoming classes: Drum up big rhythm academy

Events & Services: Learn Djembe Online includes instructional material (notation, videos, MP3s) for the focus rhythm.

Tara Teacher affiliationA solid early foundation for musical theory and rhythm eventually drew Tara to djembe in the late 90s where she discovered that her new hobby opened doors to musical and cultural experiences she could never have imagined. Her passion for rhythm took hold and she has been playing ever since.

Tara has studied with Master drummers and ensembles in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Ghana. She has studied intensively with Mamady Keita and is one of only 2 djembe teachers in Australia to have been personally certified by him as a teacher for his international school of West African drumming.

Her other teachers include Famoudou Konate, Mohamed Bangoura, Babara Bangoura, Lamine ‘Lopez’ Soumah, Nii ‘Tackie’ Abia, and Nii Tettey Tetteh. Tara has taught at schools, community centres, universities and drum camps in Australia, the US, Indonesia, China and India. Her students appreciate her patience, energy & attention to detail and her infectious enthusiasm for African drumming. Tara keeps the djembe flame burning bright across the strait in Tasmania, using material and influences from all of her teachers.

Perth

Odai Affotey

Contact: Odai Affotey – 0403 195 455
Links: 
Email Website Facebook

Regular African Drumming/Dance Classes:
Days…………………..Mondays – 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Dance………………… Mondays – 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location…………..….263 Beaufort St, Perth WA 6000

Odai-iiCome and join Odai Affotey as he takes you on a journey into the heart of Ghana with traditional drumming and dancing classes. Suitable for beginners to advanced students, each class will focus on a particular rhythm that students can dig their teeth into as there is always more to learn when it comes to Ghanaian rhythms.
Odai has travelled the globe sharing his art with others and is an energetic and patient teacher. As a traditional drummer, dancer and all round performer, Odai will make sure you have fun while learning the rhythms of his homeland.

When you think of Ghanaian drumming and dance, think groovy rhythms that make you want to dance, complex timing that fascinates even the most established musician, powerful and intricate moves that tell a story, and most of all think happiness! Ghanaian music exudes joy. It is infectious and absolutely impossible to not let the beat get into your soul.

Denmark / Walpole and Great Southern

Doug Simpson

Contact: Doug Simpson – 0428 408 075
Links: Email

Regular African Drumming Classes
Days…………………..Wednesdays – 4:45pm – 6:00pm
Location…………….Coopers Farm – North Walpole

dougDoug Simpson has been passionate about drumming since primary, where he became the school concert band drummer, playing drum kit. His natural ability & love for music and drumming eventually led him to a range of bands and music styles from rock to soul to blues and roots & finally West African Drumming.

He purchased his first West African drum (bougarabou) in 2008 and found the creative freedom he searched for by playing the djembe. He was drawn by the power of this drum and its ability to command the audience’s focus and bring people together.
From here on the journey of discovery into African drumming and culture became Doug’s new passion. He has studied under Simon Fraser, other professional Master Drummers in Melbourne and Indonesia, and has a certified Level 1 & 2 certificate with African drumming.

Doug’s love for all things drum extends to skinning African drums and working with traditional African hand carved drum shells.
Doug currently runs a local drumming group (Dirty Deeds) that focuses on traditional West African rhythms. The popular group has performed at many local events.
Doug enjoys sharing his passion, has delivered training sessions in local schools, and offers private tuition.

Canberra

Kate Susko

Contact: Kate Susko – Ph 0414 236 323
Links: Email

Regular African Drumming Classes:
Days…………………..  Wednesdays
Levels………………… Beginners – 6:15 – 7:30pm    Experienced – 7:45-9:00pm
Location…………..…. Canberra, ACT

Regular African Dance Classes: with guest teacher, Bangourake
Days…………………..
   Thursdays
Levels…………………
   All Levels – 7:30 – 9:00pm
Location…………..… 
Canberra, ACT

Kate-affiliates-2010

 

Initially a classical musician, it was in her early twenties that Kate discovered djembe and the addiction took hold! She has now been playing and teaching djembe for over 10 years and has developed a strong drumming community in Canberra, where she is based.

Kate has trained with some of the world’s leading djembe masters: Mamady Keita, Mohamed Bangoura and Sibo Bangoura, and travelled to Ghana in 2008 to undertake intensive drum and dance study.

Kate trained as a classroom teacher and later completed a Master of Education (majoring in adult learning). She has also achieved high AMEB levels in both piano and voice. It is this combination of teaching expertise and strong musicianship that has given Kate the reputation of an exceptional teacher who delivers highly engaging and effective drumming classes and workshops.

Kate’s weekly drumming classes are accredited by the ACT Teacher Quality Institute and she takes great pleasure in building the capacity of school teachers to deliver effective drumming programs.

Dublin, Ireland

Dave Hickey

Contact: Dave Hickey  – 353 1 839 1816

Links: Email  Facebook

Regular African Drumming Classes:
Days…………………..Tuesday 7:15pm – 8:45pm
Levels…………………Beginners
Location…………..….The Racecourse Inn, Baldoyle, Dublin, Ireland

Dave Hickey has been studying and performing West African percussion for the past 9 years.

After discovering a drum circle in St.kilda on his first week in Australia, he was drawn to the sound of the Djembe and the obsession began!

Dave studied with traditional masters in Ghana in 2010 and continued his apprenticeship in Australia under the guidance of Simon Fraser, Mady Keita, Boubacar Gaye and Jeremy Prentice. Dave teaches and facilitates weekly in Melbourne and teaches annually at the Bali Drum Camp, Indonesia.
Dave performs regularly in Oz and Ireland incorporating his love of African beats into myriad genres of music. He always brings warmth, a sense of humor and lots of fun to his classes, whilst still respecting the traditions and history of its origins.