Hand Drumming Class Schedule for January 2012!

First a thank-you to all the students of 2011! Thank-you to all the many students and friends who have supported the classes at DRUMZ for another amazing year of drumming and magic! The classes during 2011 were bigger than ever before and the amazing alchemy that takes place in these classes night after night , week after week, year after year, never ceases to amaze and inspire me! Truly remarkable talent and musical gifts uncovered and shared in class after class... deeply felt awakenings and passionate creativity unveiled as we explore and discover the wonders of the djembe, West African rhythms and songs, and spontaneous in-the-moment percussive music together! Thank-you for your willingness to be in the magic of the moment and to express yourself through this new language you are learning, the language of the drum! As you listen, learn, and allow yourself to FEEL the spirit of the music coursing though your veins and moving your heart to open and express , your owe spirit seems to come alive in a powerful and vibrant new way and you ARE the rhythm...you ARE the music! It is such a gift for me to watch your unfolding and your awakening to a new and powerful part of who you are ! Thank-you to each of you from the bottom of my heart. With love and gratitude, Sherry

DRUMZ Hand Drumming Class Schedule for 2012

Regular Classes begin the 2nd Saturday in January! * Please note the special all women's 12 week "DRUMSISTA PERFORMANCE CLASS" begins Jan. 24th and culminates in the highly acclaimed, very popular ,and always AMAZING joint concert with Susan Lincoln's HILDEGIRLS on April 21st, 2012 at Unity Church of the Hills. This year promises to be another off-the-charts vibrational extravaganza as more than 100 Austin women take the stage and proceed to ignite the Austin community with so much love, passion, and music and joy that the frequency of all of humanity is raised instantaneously and without regard for prudence in just one evening of Drumsista/Hildegirl Magic!

DRUMZ January 2012 Hand Drumming Class Schedule

All regular classes are in 6-week sessions and cost $90 per session ($15 per class) Drop-in classes are $17.50 each

Register by calling 512-453-9090 or email: sdrumz@austin.rr.com

Women’s Performance Session: “DRUMSISTAS”, 12 week session, Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9pm (*Prerequisite required of at least one beginner session.) BEGINS JANUARY 24th. **Class will perform in the public "Hildegirl/Drumsista Benefit Concert" on April 21st at Unity CHurch of the Hills! COST:$250 for 12 week session of 1 ½ hr. classes (NEW class!)

Beginner Djundun: Wednesday evenings, beginning January 18th, 6:45pm-7:45 pm (NEW class!)

Beginner Hand drumming:"Discovering the Magic", Wednesday evenings, beginning January 18th, 8 – 9pm

Beginner Hand drumming:"Discovering the Magic", Saturday mornings, beginning January 14th, 10 – 11am

Beyond Beginner: Thursday evenings, beginning January 19th, 6:45 – 7:45pm and also

Beyond Beginner: Saturday mornings, beginning January 14th, 11:15am – 12:15pm

Intermediate Djembe and djun * NEW CLASS combining djembe and djun into an 1 1/2 hour class

Thursday evenings, beginning January 19th, 8pm-9:30pm

Children's" Discover the Magic of Hand Drumming & Hand Percussion" Class for ages 5years-9 years. Class meets Thursday afternoons from 4pm-5pm at Drumz beginning Jan. 19th. (NEW Class!)

Register by emailing: sdrumz@austin.rr.com or call DRUMZ at 453-9090 MC/VISA accepted.

JOIN SHERRY GINGRAS FOR A LONGER 8 WEEK HAND DRUMMING SESSION AT DRUMZ!
Beginning this Saturday, October 8th, a new Beginner Class starts at 10am and a new Beyond beginner Class follows at 11:15am. There is also a new Beginner class starting Wednesday evening, Oct.12th from 8-9pm and beyond Beginner class on Wednesday evenings from 6:45pm-7:45pm. Thursday evening at 6:45pm is the Intermediate Djundun class followed by the Intermediate Djembe class at from 8-9pm. This new 8 week session will take us up to the beginning of December and we will not have classes the week of the Thanksgiving holidays! Please call Drumz at 453-9090 or email :sdrumz@austin.rr.com to register for the class of your choice and get your name on the roster as these classes do fill up! MC and VISA accepted. This session will be $120 for the 8 classes ( $15 per class). Drums are provided for the beginner level classes if you do not already have a drum of your own!

NEW FALL CLASSES BEGIN THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH,2011! JOIN US FOR THIS EIGHT WEEK SESSION AT DRUMZ! CLASSES AVAILABLE IN ALL LEVELS!

NEW FALL HAND DRUMMING CLASS SESSIONS BEGIN AUGUST 24th! These hot temps certainly don't give us an indication that FALL is in the air, but we will trust that it is happening and that the natural rhythms of the Universe and planet Earth remain in place! I am looking forward to drumming with you soon and for those of you in the market for your very own djembe, I have some very beautiful drums in stock right now....from Guinea, Mali and the Ivory Coast so do stop by DRUMZ on Kerbey Lane and check out the inventory and see if YOUR DRUM is there waiting for you to appear!
**PLEASE NOTE that the Fall l Session will be a four week class session for $60 rather than the usual six week session as the teacher, Sherry Gingras, will be out of town the last two weeks in September at a Joanna Macy workshop! The Fall ll Session will begin October 12th and will be an 8 week session!

Beginner " Discovering the Magic of Hand Drumming" Classes meet on Wednesday nights from 8-9pm and also on Saturday mornings from 10-11am! These classes are for those of you just starting out on the drummer's path as well as those of you newly on the path! Enjoying the "beginner's mind" is a wonderful space to BE and to embrace and I encourage folks to remain in the beginner level classes as long as you feel you are learning and developing as a drummer. This is not about striving and pushing ahead because relaxation and ease is of utmost importance in being a good drummer and it is not about overcoming the anxiety of pushing ahead....that is a Western concept. To honor the integrity of the origins and the traditions of these amazing West African Drums and these powerful, magical rhythms, you are encouraged to take your time, enjoy being where you ARE on the drummer's path with gratitude, and move ahead" only when ready." You are free to make up for a missed class on Saturdays if you sign up for the Wednesday night Beginner class and conversely you may make up missed Saturday morning classes on Wednesday evenings if you are in the Saturday class! We may be playing different rhythms and learning an array of different rhythmic exercises to build and develop good hand technique but the material will all be beginner level so it works! Class begins Wednesday evening, Aug. 24th at 8pm and Saturday morning, Aug. 27th at 10am! Please call 453-9090 to register and save your space or email Sherry at : sdrumz@austin.rr.com, MC/VISA accepted by phone. DRUMS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE BEGINNER LEVEL CLASSES FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE NOT ALREADY PURCHASED THEIR OWN! 4 week session is $60.

BEGINNER DJUNDUN CLASS ( NEW CLASS!) will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:45pm-7:45pm. The bass drums are powerful drums that accompany and guide the djembes in West African ensemble style playing! The djembes would not be able to maintain the integrity of their rhythm patterns without the support of the djununs! If you have always been drawn to these awesome bass drums played with sticks, now is your opportunity to learn the technique, learn to play one rhythm with the the stick on the drum and another rhythm on an accompanying bell pattern, and experience the joy and liberation of INDEPENDENCE! There is nothing quite as empowering as really playing a West African djundun for a group of djembe players and dancers! Come join us for this fun and lively class and enjoy taking your drumming up a notch or two! DJUNS ARE PROVIDED FOR THIS CLASS BUT STUDENTS MUST BRING OR PURCHASE THEIR OWN DJUN STICKS FOR THIS CLASS. You may purchase sticks at the first class. Class begins Wed. evening, Aug. 24th at 6:45pm. Please call or email to register in advance as space is limited for this class.Begins Augustn 24th. Four week session is $60.

BEYOND BEGINNER CLASS meets on Saturday morning from 11:15am-12:15pm. This class is for students who have completed enough beginner sessions to feel "ready to move to the next level". Please feel free to talk to Sherry if you have questions about which class would be best for you! The Beyond Beginner class moves at a much faster pace and covers rhythms that are more complex and involve lengthier breaks, introductions, solo phrases etc. It is important to have a good grasp of the hand technique to take the Beyond Beginner level classes and it is required that everyone has their own drum as practice will be necessary to keep up with your fellow classmates!Begins Aug.27th and is a 4 week session for $60.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CLASSES for the serious drummers meet on Thursday evenings!

DJUNUN CLASSES MEET from 6:45pm-7:45pm on Thursday evenings. These classes are for those students who have been studying West African rhythms for some time and have a good grasp of djunun sticking technique, can play bell/drum combos with a fair amount of ease, and have the concentration, focus, and practice time available to work on longer and more complicated rhythm patterns. It is highly recommended that you have your own djun to practice on to be in this class and your own sticks are required. We have a great deal of FUN in this class but it also involves practice and some dedication to learn and gain proficiency in playing djunduns/bells and more advanced African rhythm patterns.Class begins Aug. 25th at 6:45pm. Four week session is $60.

INTERMEDIATE DJEMBE CLASS meets on Thursday nights from 8pm-9pm. This class is for those players who have been studying and playing djembes and West African rhythms for some time and who are ready to study and learn more complicated rhythms, introductions, breaks, and solo phrases at a faster pace! This class is not for the faint of heart, though we have a great deal of fun in here! Obviously having your own djembe is a must AND the dedication to practice each week! Class begins August 25th at 8pm. Four weeks for $60.

day, April 24, 2011

RECONNECTING WITH EARTH, A NEW DRUMMING AND DIALOG SERIES AT DRUMZ begins Tuesday evening MAY 10th from 7-8:30pm! Join us for this exciting new series at DRUMZ for a six weeks discussion course created by the Northwest Earth Institute!

Some of the themes we will cover in our discussions are Nature and Spirit, The Universe Story, Ecopsychology. Our Course Guide Book includes provocative and informative readings, interviews, and articles by John Muir, Thomas Berry, Rachel Carsen, John Seed, Joanna Macy, Arne Naess, Brian Swimme, Starhawk, Wendell Berry, Bill Plotkin and many more!

These programs are designed to encourage discussions that clarify personal values and attitudes, consensus is not the goal, and the group should not seek to reach agreement at the expense of diversity of opinion. As in a drum circle, every unique and individual voice is important and valued in these discussions and everyone's participation is encouraged and supported and welcomed! Each participant will receive a course book and the the discussions each week are based on our readings from the course book. The book is filled with powerful and deeply moving writings by leading authors and guides including naturalists, scientists, theologians, philosophers, and psychologists.
The small group discussion experience provides a unique framework for exploring personal values, attitudes, and habits while addressing the relevant issues of our times. All of these programs will be participant-led series of discussions held over a six week period. We will be meeting for an hour and a half each week for lively and often deeply heartfelt, always meaningful, discussions based on the readings included in the discussion guide. Everyone is invited to bring their own personal experience and critical thinking to the process! Each week we will close with a 30 minute Drum Circle, our closing rhythm to solidify and empower our group intention for our Earth.

Over the past 16 years, over 130,000 people have participated in NWEI programs, exploring ways in which citizens can make a difference in their communities. This course, Reconnecting with Earth, will be the first of several six week discussion sessions at DRUMZ and I am very excited to move DRUMZ in the direction of being a community center for DRUMMING AND DIALOG pertaining to issues of global importance and creating an environment to help empower people to make a difference in their own lives and in the world.

COST: $15 for the Course Guide Booklet ( yours to keep)
$10 per evening for Drum Circle & the space ( all instruments provided or bring your own drum)
Dialog and course is FREE!
Total: $75 for Six Weeks

I am excited about this opportunity to bring these powerful and deeply inspiring courses to the Austin Community and I look forward to an expanded path for DRUMZ as a community center to promote change and participate in a conscious evolution on our wondrous planet Earth!

With peace and gratitude,

Sherry

NEW SESSION BEGINNING !
DRUMZ SUMMER SESSION begins the week of JUNE 8th.
Please join us if you can for this final hand drumming session until September!

Beginner Classes- We offer two beginner classes at DRUMZ....WEDNESDAY EVENINGS from 8-9pm(begins JUNE 8th) and also SATURDAY MORNINGS (begins JUNE 11th) from 10-11am. Students sign up for one or the other but are welcome to move back and forth between the two as their schedule demands! No previous drumming or musical experience is requires. If you have a heartbeat, you HAVE rhythm! These classes will expand and develop your natural sense of rhythm and time, provide the fundamentals of hand drumming on West African Djembes , djunduns, shekeres and bells , and offer you the opportunity to play music and have an enormous amount of FUN in a group of supportive new friends!
Making music is our birthright! Sharing in creative rhythmic expression is an essential and valuable and deeply rewarding part of being human and opens the door to your creative spirit!

Beyond Beginner Classes-Drumz offers two Beyond Beginner classes...one on WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (JUNE 8th)at 6:45pm and one on SATURDAY MORNINGS ( JUNE 11TH)from 11:15am-12:15pm. These classes are for students who have taken beginner classes and feel comfortable that it is time to move on to the next level! Relaxation is KEY to developing as a drummer so it is important to practice being content to BE WHERE YOU ARE in this process of learning to drum ( and in life!) and never feel compelled to push yourself to learn beyond your skill level! Move to the next level only when ready and you will honor the tradition from which these drums and rhythms come! Be where you are GRATEFULLY, and you will honor yourSELF and your own spirit and eventually become the drummer of your dreams! Beyond Beginner classes move at a faster pace, require you to have your own drum, and involve a command of the hand technique, more complicated rhythm structure, and PRACTICE!

Intermediate Classes meet on THURSDAY EVENINGS(begins June 9th) . Djundun Classes , specializing in the West African bass drums, meet from 6:45pm-7:45pm and Djembe class meets from 8-9pm. The Intermediate
classes are for students who have been in the previous classes ( or had other experience with ensemble-style West African hand drumming) long enough to feel competent and comfortable enough to move to a class that moves at a faster pace, learns more complicated rhythmic patterns and many lengthy solo phrases, and requires practice and dedication to stay with the group skill level! It is important to check with the instructor if you are interested in joining these classes and have not previously attended the Intermediate classes. Again, the most important thing is to have FUN while learning at a level that allows you to move forward in your development as a drummer relaxed and without stress and striving! In order to execute the tones well to play the melodies of this beautiful music from Africa and to embody these amazing and intricate rhythmic patterns, one must learn with an open heart, a relaxed body, and a focused mind! One must FEEL the music in your heart, throughout your body, and with a conscious awareness in your mind! Pushing yourself and attempting to learn at a skill level beyond where you are only hinders your learning process erodes your passion! Through repetition one learns this language and like any foreign language, it takes time and patience and dedication.

KIDS SUMMER PERCUSSION CAMP! CALL FOR DATES AND DETAILS!

FOR INTRODUCTORY HAND DRUM WORKSHOPS AT DRUMS PLEASE VISIT THE "WORKSHOPS" PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE!

NEW CLASSES IN HAND DRUMMING WILL BEGIN AT DRUMZ IN JUNE! Please stay posted for the new class session details and please email DRUMZ at :sdrumz@austin.rr.com to be on our mailing list for class calendars , special drumming and percussion workshop notifications , Kids Drumming Classes and Camps, and more! Or call Drumz at 453-9090 for more information!Thank-you for your interest!
In peace and gratitude,
Sherry