Our Teaching Faculty
and Presenters
Drum and Splash at Four Quarters,
2010
Updated June 10, 2010
Jim Donovan of Rusted Root:
Community Drum Circle, Drum the Ecstatic Evolution
Ken Crampton: Host, Community Drum Circle, Master Impresario of The Smile
Factor
Sogbety Diomande: Masters Ivory
Coast Djembe, DunDun and Dance
Samba Diallo: Cote D'Ivorie traditional
mask dance and African Modern Dance
Waking Dream:
Puppeteering, Masking and Interactive Performance Art
The Ohio Burn Unit: Setting Art
on Fire
Ed Haggard and The Love Drum
Simply Smiling
Eesa Greyson:
The D'Jembe Cowboy
Kevin and Cindy Ryan: Middle Eastern
Dance+Dumbek
Amara: the Beauty of Oriental
Movement
Jason Walker: Carribean Grooves
Alex Wedmedyk: Drum Building+Care,
Community Circle
Marlenah Barker: Hoop Dance and
Fire Arts
Dan Trevino:Meditation and Chanting
Sweat Lodge: with Kurt TalkingStone
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Ken Crampton
Community Drum Circle
Artist, Facilitator, Event Designer and Shop
Owner has over 20 years experience in Building Community through
the Rhythm and Arts. Ken has helped develop communities and
events such as First Fridays (a monthly gallery hop), First
Night Fredericksburg (founding member), The Drum Circle Facilitators
Guild (founding director). Schools (pre through college), Libraries,
Banks, Festivals, Church Retreats, Adult Care Facilities, and
Corporations have all included Everybody Drum into their events
as workshops, icebreakers or keynote presentations. Working
with the various communities, he designs successful programs
that are fun, enlightening and exciting! Ken has trained with
Arthur Hull, Babatunde Olatunji, Mamady Keita, Keith Terry,
Kalani and Jaqui MacMillan and is a graduate of HealthRHYTHMS,
Village Music Circles, Rhythm Planet and Drum Circle
Music.
Unity Drum – Family Drum Circle
in the North Crook – Every Evening. Gently facilitated
by Ken Crampton, for Parents, Kids and those who love them.
A soft preparation for the evening to come... AND!
Family Costume and Roaming Rhythm Band Saturday to join
Waking Dream for the Saturday Night Procession. Participants
costume up and we will help with make-up before dinner so that
it is a costumed dinner before the procession.
Say it! Play it! -.Using vocal phrases and your body
to make rhythms and songs memorable. An excellent aid to developing
basic rhythm skills. For All Generations
Beginning Drumming for Kids - The basics of the basics.
Launch your childs life with a love for music!
Sacred Sound Garden and The Creation Station - Come explore
the Sacred Sound Garden experiment with our melodious instruments...
and take your part in the Creation Station.
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Rusted Root's
Jim Donovan
Eat. Drum. Sleep....
Repeat daily.
Jim Donovan is an award
winning facilitator, teacher, and performer and was one
of the founding members of the multi-platinum selling band
Rusted Root from 1990-2005.
His music has been featured in major motion
films such as Ice Age, Twister, Mathilda as well as on various
network television shows such as American Idol, David Letterman,
Conan O'Brien, Party of Five and the PBS "Web of Life"
documentary.
Fulfilling his desire to share the power
of rhythm first hand, Donovan facilitates a series of corporate
and university drumming programs and public drumming workshops
throughout the US and Europe. He is the director of the
Retreat for the Soul in Ambialet, France, the Summer Rhythm
Renewal in Loretto, PA, and The Great Rhythm Revival in
Sherman, NY.
As a solo artist and teacher, Donovan
has released 6 highly acclaimed solo CD's as well as several
popular instructional drumming audio and video products
including his newest release World Rhythm Seeds : Jam Along
Audio Tool CD. Donovan is also a featured monthly columnist
in Drum! Magazine.
Donovan received his BA in music from
the University of Pittsburgh where he had the opportunity
to study African Music with noted scholar Kwabena Nketia
from Ghana. Over the years he has learned and performed
with various African master drummers such as Congolese master
drummer Elie Kihonia, Damien Pwono, and Etse Nyadedzor.
Currently Jim Donovan is an instructor of music at Saint
Francis University in Loretto, PA.
Ecstatic Drum and Chant :: Transformation
Workshop
In this workshop you will learn beneficial mantras, cathartic
drumming rhythms, rejuvenating breathing exercises, and
powerfully effective concepts that you can use everyday
to improve your whole self. Anyone regardless of musical
ability will benefit from and enjoy this experience. You
will leave the workshop feeling peaceful, yet invigorated,
and alive.
The Rhythm Renewal 2 Workshop
This workshop consists of challenging dexterity exercises
to get your coordination more fine-tuned, we’ll dig
into new African and Brazilian pieces in depth including
breaks and lyrics. We’ll also discuss more in depth
musical concepts such as integrating the breath with your
phrases, a section on soloing as well as a great creation
jam at the end of the experience.
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Sogbety Diomande
was born in the village
of Toufinga, a small farming community located in the Northwest
region of the Ivory Coast near the border of Guinea in Africa.
He started his career as a drummer and dancer at a very
early age. He trained as a stilt dancer with his uncle,
Vado Diomande, the reigning national stilt dancing champion.
Sogbety has been stilt dancing since the age of ten and
possesses the ability, through his stilt mask, to act as
a mediator between the world of the living and the spiritual
world of the ancestors.
Sogbety’s most recent
projects are forming his own West African Drum and Dance
Company, touring with Jim Donovan's Drum the Ecstatic, and
performing for schools and universities. In February of
2005 he formed his own troupe and performed for Black History
events in Ohio.
Sogbety Diomande - Samba Diallo
Intro to Cote D'Ivory Traditional Dance: An introduction
to the traditional dance forms and dance rhythms of the
Cote D'Ivory, and their place in the folkways of these people.
Energetic cultural fun for the novice.
Advanced Cote D'Ivory Traditional Dance: Building
on the foundations and then learning a complete traditional
dance form.
African Dance for Kids of all Ages: Designed for
the young of age and enclusive for all ages, African Dance,
easy and fun!
Mask Dance: "Ge," formerly translated
as "mask" or "masquerade," appears among
the Dan people of Côte d'Ivoire as a dancing and musical
embodiment of their social ideals and religious beliefs.
When the dancer wearsthe "Mask," they becomethe
embodiement of the "Spirits." The Ge will appear
Saturday night.
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 Samba
Diallo
African dance and culture has been in Samba's
blood since birth. Born and raised in Cote D'Ivoire, West Africa,
he began choreographing, teaching, and performing while attending
college. During this time he was also an actor with the Theatrical
Union of Krindjabo in Africa.
Later he founded his own dance company, Rosaire
de Triechville, and won first place in the National dance and
theatre competition at Varietoscope. During the same year Samba
Diallo become an artist advisor for several dance companies in
and out of the competition. Educated from the school of Fine Art,
he also received a certification of teaching and Choreography
from the National Ballet. Samba performed around Africa, Europe
and USA, with the National Ballet of Cote D'Ivoire before relocating
to the United States.
Since his relocation to the United States, Samba's
passion for dance has not wavered. He has performed and worked
with dance companies, schools and organization such us: Tuskegee
University, Auburn University, and Georgia State University, Alabama
A&M, Berry College, Shorter College, Ohio State, Kennesaw
State University, Atlanta Ballet, Tolbert Yilmaz School, Cobb
Dance Academy, Total Dance, Fusion Production, For sisters Only,
100 Black Men, National Black Art Festival, University of Georgia
in Athens, Chattanooga Zoo, Atlanta Zoo, Young Audiences of Atlanta,
Mansfield Ohio Library, The Nutcracker, Wizard of Oz, Gaiete Parisian,
Health Fitness and Wellness Expo, Festivals and dance conferences
around the Country. |
Waking
Dream
Waking Dream
is live interactive performance art, presenting works of giant
puppetry, pageantry, and stilt dance - all intended to invoke
the imagination. Waking Dream's performances and workshops
encourage audience participation in both performance and production,
blurring the line between spectator and spectacle.
The results are always unexpected and magical!
The Waking Dream Encampment:
In the North Crook, a portal to a world of color and creativity.
All through the day and night. Help make the puppets and
plan for the Saturday Night Procession. Making Art, Magic
and Performance for everyone.
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Alex Wedmedyk
Drum Building, Care
and Drum Circle
Ettiquette
AlexWednedyk is a craftsman,
drummer and facilitator,and has been building drums and
playing them since 1990. Over the years he has had
many teachers and shares "the jewels of knowledge"
he has picked up along the way. All of his workshops
emphasize that the Eternal Spring of Creativity is our Spirit,
and that we connect to this source by enhancing our relationship
with the Great Spirit. Our inner strength and outer power
is directly related to how well we move through our lives
"in rhythm". Through Earth Rhythm, he has created,
with his wife Joy, various workshops and events on self
discovery & personal empowerment. Alex has facilitated
many workshops,drum circles and rituals throughout the Midwest.
He has created the annual Adventures in Rhythm Drummers
Retreat and the Rites of Spring Community Gathering of Ohio.
Drum It Up - Meet and Greet -
Every morning in the Upper Drum Circle.
Drummaking and Repair - Custom repair
of your drum. OR Custom make your own new drum,choosing
your own natural wood drum shell and hide, complete assembly
and a lesson in making “diamonds” to keep the
drum tight and tuned. Prices will vary with the type of
drum picked to construct. [two 4hr segments]
Four Steps to Drumming Bliss - Going to the One -
Learn the fundamentals of hand drumming as well as exercises
to improve your drumming in four easy steps. Play drums
with little or no instruction. With the power of sound participants
will repeat patterns of sounds with minimal instruction.
This is a shortcut to drumming, bypassing the cognitive
process of learning and remembering. Its just about doing
without thought getting in the way.
Care and Feeding of your Drum - In
this workshop I'll provide you with a checklist of things
to consider in maintaining and obtaining a personal drum.
Alex will give instructions on preventative maintenance
and “first aid” measures you can take to keep
your drum in good shape. Fix it now! He will share helpful
hints on how to select the drum that’s right for you.
Understanding your drum. Drumming as a lifestyle. Being
one with your drum.
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Introducing
the Ohio Burn Unit
We are
a troupe of performance artists specializing in making every
event the hottest in town. All of our shows revolve around the
central theme of fire and flame, adding that extra spice to
every exhibition we are a part of. Our group includes fire breathers,
dancers, stilt walkers, and spinners. We can cater to the needs
of any venue or theme necessary, and can provide anywhere from
two to six professional performers.
The Ohio
Burn Unit is dedicated to safe, unique presentations of ornate
skill. With the many different combinations of routines and
performances that we offer, we are sure to turn heads everywhere
we perform. www.ohioburnunit.com
FIRE SAFETY! - Before you
lite up, learn the basics of group and personal safety when
playing with fire.
Begining and Advanced Fire Staff Work - Just how do they
spin those six foot flaming staffs anyway?
Beginning and Advanced Poi - The very beginning of Poi
spinning is entirly appropreate for older children, advancing
to thos ready to "Light Up!"
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Ed
Haggard and
The Love Drum
Ed Haggard is
a percussionist, drumming teacher and drum circle facilitator
who loves to play! He leads a performing percussion ensemble,
The Love Drums which has instilled the irresistible urge to
dance in many people. The group’s music primarily is
influenced by west African drumming and modern drum circle,
with bellydance music and samba mixed in. Ed has taken classes
with numerous African djembefolas like Mamady Keita, Famadou
Konate, Bolokada Conde. He has drummed at the birth of four
children, at weddings, initiation ceremonies, solstice and
equinox ceremonies, house blessings, yoga classes... Ed also
drums with two kirtan bands and two positive music bands.
Teaching is a large part of Haggard’s
work. He has taught over 4500 drum classes and workshops including
nine years at University Middle School of Nashville, Casa
dei Montessori, Linden Waldorf School and others. Ed teaches
evening drum classes for adults in Nashville also. He is a
trained professional drum circle facilitator and has led many
drum circles for various kinds of groups. Ed delights in spreading
the joy of getting a groove on. He LOVES to go to festival!
Friday Night Masters Performance:
The Love Drum at the Upper Drum Circle.
Exploring the Foundations:
This intro level class will teach the foundational base of
ensemble play and Drum Circle play. The Bass, or d"jun
Jun. Even if you do not play the bass end, this class will
deeply increase your awareness of the structure of African
play, and your part in the music.
Advanced d'Jun Jun: For d:jun players, the structure
and traditional rythyms for holding the center of ensemble
and Drum Crcle play. |
Eesa Grayson
Eesa Grayson is an all time favorite
at Four Quarters, our best bad boy of the D'Jembe. Combining
physically powerful drumming, high energy dance and a teaching
style that is at once open, joyous and inviting.
Eesa is a principle with the Djembe Folalu ensemble.
Intro to the D'Jembe:
For beginners, basic technique, vocalisation as an aid to
rythym memory, basic rhythm structures.
Advanced D'Jembe Play: Building on the basics, more
advanced rhythms, ensemble play.
Tips and Tricks: The beginnings of power D'Jembe
play. |
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Kevin and Cindy Ryan
Kevin and Cindy Ryan have been Middle
Eastern dancers and drummers for the last decade and a half.
Fourteen years ago, at the first Drum & Splash, they turned
up with these little dumbek whatjamacallits. A couple of hours
later, they were asked “How _do_ you get that many sounds
out of that tiny thing?!” They’ve been coming back
ever since... Kevin and Cindy drum, dance, and teach in an assortment
of venues, including several years in their group Celtistan.
Cindy is also a principle dancer in the award winning Silk Road
Dance company. And in the meantime, they drum on any nearby
surface that doesn’t object too loudly, to the dismay of
their cats.
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Amara
of The Moon
Amara is a professional Middle Eastern
dance artist and teacher in the Washington, D.C. area who has
been coming to Drum & Splash for 10 years to dance, drum,
and play. In addition to drumming and Middle Eastern dance,
she also enjoys traveling, and her new love - salsa dancing.
Bellydance Basics - Explore
an art form from the Middle East while learning hip, torso,
arm, and hand movements. No prior dance experience necessary.
Dancing with Silk - Please bring a silk (or other light
weight material) 3 yard veil if you have one. I will have some
extras to borrow. No prior dance experience necessary.
SHIMMY! - Learn to shake your booty with skill, control
and finese! It is all in the butt - literally! In addition to
various hip shimmies, you will learn shoulder shimmy, stomach
shimmy, and pelvic shimmy. Prior bellydance or African dance
training helpful, but NOT required.
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Robin Renee
Robin Renée (aka Keshavani) is a creative
intuitive with over 15 years experience as a performing songwriter,
writer, healer, and meditation practitioner. She has shared
the stage with some of the West’s best-loved kirtan singers,
including Krishna Das, Wynne Paris, and Dave Stringer. Her writing
has appeared in The Oestara Anthology of Pagan Poetry, PanGaia
Magazine, Blessed Bi Spirit: Bisexual People of Faith, and many
other publications. Her latest CD is spirit.rocks.sexy –
mantra-pop headlines from the clairaudient dreams of the evocative
Robin Renée.
Kirtan: Kirtan
is a form of call and response chanting in the Indian devotional
tradition. We will sing the Holy Names of God/dess in the ancient,
sacred language of Sanskrit. The repetition of these mantras
brings one to deep stillness, bliss, and to a profound sense
of oneness with All. Please do come, bring drums and percussion,
sing out, and encounter your own true, Divine Nature.
Song Share: Bring
you, your voice, and your music making stuff. Come hang out
and share your original songs or your old favorites.
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Marlenah Barker
Marlenah Barker has been a self-taught hooper
for a year and a half. Despite having no background training
in dance, she has thrown herself into this form of creative
movement with passion and intensity. She was nominated for "Best
New Hooper of the Year" in 2007 by the international online
hooping community at www.Hooping.org. Marlenah seeks to bring
joy and beauty to the lives of those around her by teaching
hoopdance to men and women of all ages and fitness levels. She
enjoys performing with her LED and fire hoops at clubs, festivals,
and events throughout the Philadelphia area.
Marlenah Barker: Hoopdance Performance and Instruction
215.290.3738
Introduction to the Hoop: Just as
it says, the basics of the Hula Hoop
Advanced Hula Hoop: Moving on into the art and motion
of the Hoop. Basic tricks and moves.
Double Hoop: The beginnings of performance Hoop, with
two hoops in motion.
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