The Road to Rio will take you on a journey in to the heart of the carnaval parades in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Each year the country comes alive with preparations for the biggest party on Earth, and all of the cities fill with the sound of drums. In this hands on workshop percussionist Rob Arcari will immerse you in the world of Rio’s Samba Schools, and introduce you to the rhythms that make carnaval swing!
Nepalese born Dheeraj is recognised is the foremost Tabla player in Australia. The Tabla is the quintessential percussion instrument of the Indian subcontinent and one of the most complicated drums to play. Nepalese percussion instrument the Madal is the backbone of Nepalese folk music and often played while hiking in the mountains of the Himalayas! Dheeraj will demonstrate Nepalese-Indian rhythms and hip-hop vocal percussion. He will also introduce the fastest percussion instrument in the world – the Tabla!
Toko-Ton’s program includes a Taiko drumming performance of classic and original music followed by an interactive workshop. They will showcase different sizes and styles of drums as well as other instruments like Japanese flutes and cymbals and use Japanese language adjusted to student level for greeting and keeping time.
This workshop from Joseph centres on his heritage from the Baganda tribe in Uganda. He begins by performing traditional songs in the Baganda language accompanied by the Bakisimba dance and Kidigida rhythms. Students accompany Joseph by singing and learning the rhythms. Instruments used include Engoma (drums), Endingidi (tube fiddle), Amadinda (xylophone) and Adungu (harp).
The Mbira, sometimes called the ‘thumb piano’ is an African instrument. It has been played by the Shona people of Zimbabwe for over a thousand years! George Joe will introduce its origins and history before playing the Mbira and singing some traditional tunes in the Shona language which students will accompany with percussion and singing.
Philippe Lincy was born in Guadeloupe and grew up in Guinea and Senegal before moving to Paris and finally Australia. This drumming workshop centres around the Djembe and Dunun from West Africa. Students will learn about different cultural styles of drumming and other instruments like the shekere. This program can be taught in English and French.
The Shohrat Tursun Trio is a combination of ancient melodies and African rhythms woven into compositions that can only be found in Australia. Shohrat Tursun is a world renowned musician and Uygur Bard, Yaw Derkyi is a Ghanaian elder and percussionist and Richard Petkovic provides the modern twist by actively inviting the musicians to share their cultures in a new way.
This program incorporates two rotating sessions into one all day program celebrating diversity in Chinese culture. May Wang and her team can tailor a program to include Chinese Lion Dance, Martial Arts, a drumming workshop, folk dancing, calligraphy or lantern making.
From laidback melodies to exciting dance beats Errol and Jay Renaud from Trinidad and Tobago introduce students to the musical sounds of the Caribbean. They introduce students to soca, calypso and reggae music played on their national instrument the steel drums.
Embark on a musical journey to Southeastern Europe with an interactive music program suitable for all ages. Students can use whatever percussion instruments they have available – Darabuka, Djembe, Bendir, or just clap their hands! As they learn the rhythms of the Turkish gypsies, Bulgarian dancers and Macedonian maestros.
