Rhythm for Your Soul - African Drumming

Come explore the ancient rhythms within yourself! Rhythm for Your Soul will lead you through story of the djembe drum, the basics of how to play the djembe and dunun drums (a type of drum from West Africa), and how to put the techniques together to learn ancient traditional rhythms and songs. Just like other instruments, these drums have notes that are combined to play music. We will work on the sounds of the notes and will play music that you can play alone or with other drummers. Whether you are a beginner drummer or an experienced one, join us to discover or improve your own sound on the drum, and to create music in community with others.

Classes are for all ages of drummers and all skill levels.

When: Usually one Saturday afternoon each month
Time: 2pm – 3:30pm
Cost: $15 per class, plus $2 for drum rental if you need one
Where: Radiance, 9 W Grant St, Lancaster (across from Central Market)
How to Register: Contact Radiance 717-290-1517
Dates: November 21, December 12, 2009

If you don't have a djembe, dunun (barrel-shaped stick drum), or ashiko drum, you can rent a djembe for $2 (technique instruction is focused on these drums, but you may also bring frame drums to play during the rhythms). Please request rental drums ahead of time for each class.

Classes Led by Tammi Hessen, a Lancaster-based drummer who has been studying in the West African hand drum tradition of djembe. She has traveled to Africa to study drumming there, studies under djembe master Mamady Keita, and Master Drum Maker/Cultural Educator Baile McKnight. She has also studied with Menes Yahuda, Salim Ajanku of Sankofa Dance Theater, Mahiri Keita, Ubaka Hill, and other drumming instructors who travel around to teach. Tammi has been working with Ubaka Hill as her teaching assistant at the Michigan Women’s Music Festival, and recently recorded on Ubaka’s 3rd CD, “Beyond the Wind” and played at the CD Release concerts. Tammi began teaching Bumbada! Women Drumming classes in Baltimore Maryland in 2003, and the program continues to grow. She also has a performance group that plays for various events locally. You can contact Tammi directly for more information about the ongoing drumming classes in Baltimore, Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg areas, or for private lessons.

Tammi currently teaches classes in Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, and Baltimore, and drums for local West African Dance Classes. For more information, www.tammihessen.com