2011 Class Descriptions

Adwoa Kudoto

Beginners

This will include basic drum beats, formations of simple rhythms and teaching of a traditional ensemble from Ghana (KPATSA)

Intermediate

Students will learn a traditional Ritual drumming from Ghana (FUME-FUME) on gyense and Djundjuns.

Advanced

Students will learn a traditional drumming ensemble called (WALE) Farmers Dance on gyense drums

Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Annette Argentina Aguilar

Variety of styles for the beginner to the advanced
Afro Cuban and Afro Brazilian, Jazz, folk, contemporary, Orchestral and pop.
How to utilize percussion instruments of these genres in your ensemble playing. From a duo to a large ensemble on any level that shares music. Emphasis on the cajon (a wooden box) and how to get the most mileage out if this versatile instrument along with conga, bongo, snare drum, drum kit and surdos. And the many small instruments like bells and shakers.

Beginners: Fundamentals and rudiments of percussion playing.

Percussion control. This incorporates the use of your arms, hands and fingers, using sticks mallets.
How to develop stamina and longevity with the right technique for small and large percussion instruments.
Indentifying the Pulse and Rhythm. Finding where you are in the Pulse/beat and how to stay in tempo as a drummer/ percussionist. 

Developing your sound and getting a sound from the instrument.

Learning basic notation to further your own study via the vast learning tools that are available via Books DVD’s and the internet (you tube)

Intermediate: Basic knowledge of how to hold sticks and get sounds out of the hand drum.

We will focus on the Cajon and the Conga drum and the Variety of small percussion instruments.
The versatility of this instrument as a soloist or with a duo or BIG BAND AND HOW TO utilize this instrument
Learning basic notation to further your own study via the vast learning tools that are available via Books DVD’s and the internet (you tube)

Advanced: Percussionist /drummers should have some strong to medium skills on hand and stick technique.

This class will emphasize on multi conga drumming as a soloist.
How to incorporate rudimental skills on two to three drums and MORE! Also using the cajon and other percussion instruments from the genres mention above.

Bring: Cajon, Conga (2 if possible), caxixi, shakers, maraca, sticks, snare drums OR whatever instrument you have and like to play
Some drums provided.
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Carolyn Brandy

Fundamentals of Rhythm

Learn where the time/pulse is – downbeats, upbeats, syncopation and 3 against 2. This class will help you to understand, hear, groove and enjoy rhythm.

All Levels: Fundamentals of Rhythm
Bring: No instruments required

CHEKERE AND GÃœIRO

We will learn the rhythm Güiro, which uses 3 Chekere parts, the 6/8 African bell, one Conga part and songs. Come learn to play the Chekere – the beautiful beaded gourd – and some songs that go with it.

Some instruments provided
All Levels
VODÃœN

Come learn to play this charismatic and challenging rhythm that comes from the Haitian community that lives in Camaguey and Santiago De Cuba. Congas, sticks, and Bell.

Int/Advanced Only
Some instruments provided

Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Edwina Lee Tyler

Beginning Class

Teaching Spirit of the Drum

Beginning Class

Sounds & tec.

Beginning Class

Elizabeth Sayre

Beginning Batá

This class will introduce the batá drums to students who have never played them before, and/or who have relatively little hand drum experience. The class will focus on technique for each drum, and will cover some basic batá rhythms such as Rumba Obatalá, Yakotá, Ogún, and/or Lalubanche. We will also briefly address the history of the Cuban-style batá. More advanced drummers, or students with some batá experience, are welcome to attend to sit on itótele or iyá. Priority will be given to beginners and newcomers to the batá in this class. We will possibly learn a few orisha songs that the drums accompany. 

Observers are welcome.

All-Levels Batá

This class will focus on several intermediate level toques (rhythm) such as Obaloke, Rumba Ochosi, Agayú cantado, or others, and will accommodate all levels of batá experience. Instructor will take questions and requests from intermediate and advanced level players. Beginning drummers are welcome to play okónkolo or to observe the class, depending on how many students are present. We will likely study several orisha songs to be accompanied by the drums. 

Observers are welcome.

Intermediate/Advanced

This class is for students with at least two years of hand drum experience, and preferably with one year or more of focused study on the batá. However, anyone with an interest in the batá is welcome to attend—priority will be given to the more advanced, and we will move relatively quickly in this class. This class will focus on the concept of transition between rhythms in the batá repertoire, and will cover some important points of transition such as Ñongo to Ichachalekefun. According to what orisha songs students know, we will likely construct a short song sequence and study how to best accompany it.

Drums are provided.
Limited to 15
Observers are welcome.
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Janet Koike

Japanes Drumming for All Levels

Taiko is a unique form of drumming using your whole body to play, making it easy to share energy and joy.

Learn or review basic Kata (form) Kuchi shoga (oral vocabulary). Learn traditional Japanese rhythms and combine them with global rhythms. Students will learn the taiko song “Community” first written by Maze Daiko and shared with the Kodo Apprentices on Sado Island Japan.

We will play together and just see what good times happen.

Instruments provided

Jeni Swerdlow

DRUMMM Yourself Free, part 1: Finding your groove in the moment

Ever wondered what to play in a drum circle or jam? Want to learn how
to start a groove that will get people moving? Curious about different
how various types of drums and percussion can facilitate musically
dynamic ensemble playing? In this playful rhythmic exploration we
will–

-Discover how to find and play around the pulse in any groove.
-Learn some of the basic universal grooves in 4/4 and 6/8.
-Develop skills for listening and responding to music in the moment.
-Learn rhythm games and tricks for getting a group into the groove.
-Explore how to express your own authentic “voice” on the drum.

Bring: Please bring your favorite drum and a hand-held percussion instrument
(shaker, bell, clave, tambourine, etc.) if you have. There will be
extras available.

Level: (beginner/open to ALL levels)

DRUMMM YOURSELF FREE, part 2: How to jam like a pro

Ever wondered what to play in a drum circle or jam? Want to learn how
to start a groove that will get people moving? Curious about different
how various types of drums and percussion can facilitate musically
dynamic ensemble playing? In this playful rhythmic exploration we
will–
-Learn techniques for starting and sustaining a groove “on the run.”
-Discover easy ways to “solo” or improvise within a groove.
-Create a “dialogue” with other drummers in an ensemble.
-Improve musicality for yourself and your group. 

Bring: Please bring your favorite drum and a hand-held percussion instrument
(shaker, bell, clave, tambourine, etc.) if you have.
There will be extras available.
Level: (beginner/open to ALL levels)

Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Las Bomberas de la Bahia

Bomba, Puerto Rico’s oldest community music and dance tradition developed as a result of the slave trade to the island. It served to sustain our ancestors and continues to sustain bomberos/as, bomba practitioners, today as our communities in Puerto Rico and the Diaspora contribute to keeping it a living cultural art form. In the tradition of Bomba the improvisational skills of the dancer, drummer and lead vocalist are all important and integral to the form.

The dancer makes the music with her or his moves, for specific accents and figures, piquetes, which the lead drummer has to execute on the drum. This occurs in the form of a friendly competition where both the dancer and drummer showcase their skills. The lead vocalist calls the song, which sets the rhythm and speed and is answered in a call and response style by all who are willing to join in on the coro, to which the lead vocalist response with improvised lyrics specific to that song.

Beginning Level:

Students will learn the Basic Dance Steps for the Rhythms of Sica, Yuba, and Cuembe in the style from Santurce, Puerto Rico. In percussion part of the class students will learn the basic rhythms on the drums, maraca, and cuas as well as the some traditional songs for each of the three main rhythms.

Intermediate Level I (dance and percussion):

Students will learn some piquetes or specific accents to begin the improvised conversation with the lead drummer.

The workshops will begin with learning dance, rhythm patterns on drums, cuas, and maraca as well as songs for Holandes (Santurce Style) and Seis Corrido (Loiza Style). In the first intermediate class we will focus on learning Holandes and Seis Corrido rhythms which are more challenging than the three rhythms we will be teaching in the Beginning level class.

Intermediate Level 2 (percussion with some Dance):

Students will learn more of the improvisational language in bomba in both the Dance (piquetes) and percussion aspects (breaks and responding to dancer piquetes). We’ll work more on improvising in the rhythms of Sica, Yuba, and Cuembe and pay specific attention to the variation of languages between the different rhythms and in response to the songs as well

Students are permitted to record our classes : AUDIO ONLY

Linda Tillery

Sing/Play – Adding the voice to the rhythm equation. We will also use hands and feet as rhythmic accompaniment.

The degree of difficulty will increase with each class level. We’ll explore singing while playing hip hop, fun, and Afro-Cuban Rhythms.

1. Sing/play Beginners

No prior experience required

2. Sing/Play Intermediate I

Intermediate students should have at least one year of vocal and percussion study.

3. Sing/Play Intermediate II

Each class will increase in degree of difficulty

Classes are limited to 25 each class
Bring: drums, caxixi, gonkogi etc.
Lyric sheets will be provided
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Luisa Teish

CLASS ONE: THE ELEMENTS OF RITUAL

Students learn the Universal Principles and basic structure that empowers them to create personal rituals.

All Levels
CLASS TWO: ECO-SPIRITUAL HEALING

Creating rituals that heal the human body and the Natural Environment.

All Levels
SPIRIT LODGE: SPIRITUAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Writings that illuminate our spiritual journey. (May be selected to read in concert).

All Levels

Mabiba Baegne

Drum Classes

Beginning Dunun
Beginning/Intermediate Dunun
Intermediate/Advanced Dunun

Bring: Dununs or Congas and Sticks; Do not bring djembes as their skin can be damaged
Some congas may be available.
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Michaelle Goerlitz

Basic Stick Control

Bring: Practice Pad & Sticks
Some will be provided.
Level: All Levels Welcome.

Class Two: Brazilian Samba De Roda

Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Bring:Congas, Agogo bells, Pandeiros
Some instruments provided

Class Three: Northeastern Brazilian

Bring: Pandeiros, caxixi, surdo or zazumba
Some instruments provided
Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Nydia Liberty Mata

Sound and Technique

Through the use of Afro-Caribbean Rhythms this workshop is designed to develop the “listening” and proper technique necessary to produce quality sound on the conga drum. (Recommended for beginner, intermediate or the advanced drummer who is still grappling with their sound)

Traditional Afro-Caribbean Drumming

Through the use of conga drums,
clave, stick patterns and bell patterns students will learn the individual parts to traditional and folkloric Afro-Caribbean drumming. (Recommended for intermediate and advanced students)

The Latin Percussion Ensemble Workshop

Using conga drums, timbales, bongos, clave, cowbells, guiro and maracas students will learn the relationship of the Latin Percussion family of instruments to each other, as they are played in contemporary Cuban dance music, which today we call “Salsa”. (Recommended for advanced and intermediate, though beginners are welcomed as well)

Bring: Conga drum,congos, claves, cowbells, guiros and two timbale sticks
Some instruments provided
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Odilia Galvan Rodriguez

Spirit Lodge
1. Spirit Lodge Sign Up to Provide a Workshop, Demonstration or Talk

If you are interested in facilitating a workshop, or doing a demonstration or discussion on a topic related to spirituality or a spiritual practice that you are knowledgeable about please e-mail Odilia Galvàn Rodríguez, the Spirit Lodge coordinator, at odiliayangel@yahoo.com with the following information: Please provide a short description of the workshop, demonstation or discussion, you would like to provide. Include a short bio and give her your time-slot preference. All time-slots are 90 minutes.

Note: Please provide all necessary tools, or supplies or in your description, ask campers to bring their own i.e. journals and pens, or specific drum etc. If you are proposing a movement, meditation, or similar type class, please specify loose clothing, mat etc. Please be as specific as possible as to the object or goal of your workshop or discussion and what participants can expect.

Though you may specify your preference, Born to Drum staff will assign time-slots for the Spirit Lodge. If you do not get a slot this year please know that it is only because we did not have enough spaces or the times you chose were unavailable.

2. Writing as Ritual

Writing As Ritual – with Yemaya Priest, Poet/Writer/Editor/Author/ and Social Justice Activist Odilia Galvàn Rodríguez. This special, empowering women through creative writing class, will begin with a series of group exercises designed to help participants feel safe working and sharing their work in a collective setting. Next, our work together will tap into the divine pool of collective voices, which are channeled from the ancestors and other spirit voices, through meditative and automatic/free write techniques. This is a place to find and share our varied voices – through poetry, stories, and/or performance pieces. My goal is to help experienced and first time writers come away from our sessions with work that has been written and shared in a safe and fun environment.

3. Spirit Lodge Description

You can spend some quality quiet time in the BTD Spirit Lodge located in the Garden room. All campers are invited to bring pictures of loved ones, who have made their journey to the spirit world, and who you would like to honor or remember in this sacred space.

Discussions and/or workshops on various topics will be offered such as: different spiritual traditions, healing practices, the history of women’s drumming, empowering women and a special writing classes one entitled “Writing As Ritual”. Descriptions on other Spirit Lodge activities will be made available at registration.

Students are NOT permitted to record these classes.

Sheree Seretse

Traditional and Contemporary Marimba Music from Zimbabwe.

Students will have the opportunity to learn traditional and contemporary marimba music from Zimbabwe. The class will explore melodies and rhythms on an ensemble of instruments including soprano, tenor, baritone and bass with accompanying percussive instruments drums, hosho (shakers) and handclapping. 

The key to understanding the music is strong listening skills and being comfortable with maneuvering the mallets.

All levels of music experience welcome. Come join the fun!

Susu Pampanin

Middle Eastern Percussion
Class One: Speaking clearly on the Dumbek

Beginning technique and rhythms of the Middle East.

Class Two

Intermediate & Advanced techniques and rhythm – Middle Eastern style

“Spice It Up”

Approach to Rolls, Finger Rolls, Accents, Slaps. Soloing and Fills.

Some big H20 bottles and Frame Drums will be provided.
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY

Thoz Womenz

Drum Protocol

Learning respect at a mother drum; how to move and interact around drum circle; basic songs from Native culture.

Sticks and Songs

Styles of song for occasions and how to drum those; hand drums welcomed.

Women at the Drum
Discussion with songs around traditions and face at the Native drum.

There is a limit of 10 women sitting at the drum; Hand drums not wanting to sit at mother drum are welcomed beyond 10
Bring: hand drum
Sticks for the mother drum are provided.
Students are NOT permitted to record this class.

Virginia Lopez

Afro-Cuban Song: Bembe

The Oyo pr Yoruba from modern Nigeria, known in Cuba as Lucumi. Their religion is known as Regla de Ocha (roughly ‘the way of the spirits’) and its syncretic version known as Santeria. Culturally of great significance. 

Inside the cults, music, song, dance and ceremony were (and still are) learned by heart by means of demonstration, including such ceremonial procedures conducted in an African language.

In this class we will sing in relation to the 6/8 clave.

Afro-Cuban Song: Palo Monte

Palo has its roots in the Congo basin of central Africa, from where large numbers of African slaves were brought to Cuba, Puerto Rico, as well as to the colony of Santo Domingo, the present capital of The Dominican Republic. Accordingly, a great part of Palo Monte’s liturgical chants and invocations are in a mixture of the Spanish and Kikongo languages, other influences being introduced through their presence in Black Spanish-speaking Latin Amrica 

In this class we will sing in relation to the 6/8 clave.

Afro-Cuban Song: Rumba

Afro-Cuban folkloric rumba is based on the five-stroke pattern called clave and the inherent structure it conveys. 

In this class we will sing in relation to the rumba clave

All Levels
No instruments Required
Students are permitted to record my classes : AUDIO ONLY