Classes - Drumz Austin

2011-12-04T17:43:00.004-06:00

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

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!)

2011-10-05T10:16:00.004-05:00

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!

2011-10-05T10:14:00.001-05:00

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

2011-08-04T18:45:00.011-05:00

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.

2011-04-24T04:24:00.001-05:00

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

2011-04-24T02:57:00.004-05:00

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!

2011-04-12T10:19:00.004-05:00

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

2011-02-24T11:41:00.002-06:00

NEW SESSION OF HAND DRUMMING CLASSES BEGINS AT DRUMZ WEDNESDAY EVENING MARCH 9th!

Just a reminder that a new round of classes start soon at Drumz !
DRUMZ.....celebrating creativity, compassion, communication and community through RHYTHM! Join us if you can for a six week session of hand drumming ....classes for all levels! Cost: $90 for six weekly classes. * Please note there are TWO beginner level classes and TWO Beyond Beginner level classes this session!

Beginners "Discovering the Magic of Hand Drumming" meets Wednesday evenings from 8pm-9pm beginning March 9th. This is a class for those of you just starting out on the drummer's path! No previous experience is necessary for this class and drums are provided if you do not yet have your own. This class is also for those students who are novice drummers and newly on the drummer's path. It is advised that in honor of the drums and the traditions from which these drums come in West Africa, that we move to the next level of drumming only when ready...this is not about struggling and striving! This is about learning to learn with ease and relaxation and being comfortable and grateful being where you are, wherever that may be on the drummer's path! Another Beginner level class meets on Saturday mornings from 10am-11am, beginning March 12. You may move back and forth between these two classes as your schedule requires.

Beyond Beginner Class- The Wednesday evening Beyond Beginner class will resume this session at 6:45pm at DRUMZ. This class meets from 6:45-7:45pm on Wednesdays beginning March 9th. There is another Beyond Beginner Class on Saturday mornings from 11:15am-12:15pm. You may sign up for one day or the other but I do let students move back and forth between these two class times as their schedules demand!
This class is for those students who have had drumming experience, are knowledgeble about playing West African rhythms, have a grasp of the hand technique, and are ready to move on and learn more complicated rhythms and djundun and bell combination parts at a somewhat accelerated pace.

Intermediate/Beyond Beginner Djundun Class- Meets at 6:45pm on Thursdays. The next session begins MARCH 24th for this class! If you have your own djuns and you are able to bring either a sangban or djundunba or kinkine to class to play, please do! This class will focus on both triple djun ballet style parts AND three part djun traditional style.
We will learn many fun and interesting djundun parts with some echauffements and variations. Lots of fun! Previous experience required.

** Please bring your own sticks to class. Sticks are available for purchase at DRUMZ if you do not have your own!

Intermediate Djembe- Meets Thursday evenings from 8-9pm following djundun class. This class begins MARCH 24th. This class is for those students who have progressed through the Beyond Beginner class sessions and feel ready for more of a challenge at a faster pace! Many solo patterns and phrases will be learned in this class to allow for the beginning of soloing on djembe. Really fun class!

2011-01-02T23:56:00.002-06:00

DRUMZ Winter 2011 Hand Drumming Class Schedule
All class sessions are 6 weeks in length. Cost: $90 for six weeks or $17.50 individually.
Call 453-9090 to register by phone or email Sherry at:sdrumz@austin.rr.com. You are
also welcome to visit DRUMZ at 3700 1/2 Kerbey Lane to register in person. MC/VISA accepted.

♥ THE MAGIC OF HAND DRUMMING FOR BEGINNERS, meets from 7pm-8pm, and starts January 19th, WEDNESDAY EVENINGS . This is THE class for those of you who are just embarking on the drummer's path , as well as those of you who have taken a session or two ( or more!) and enjoy a relaxed learning pace with emphasis on rhythm rudiments,hand drum technique and exercises to develop technique, basic vocabulary to help us speak through our drums, West African rhythms, how to select a drum, tune a drum, drum circle etiquette, and much, much more! This Beginner Class is also offered on SATURDAY MORNINGS FROM 10am-11am beginning Jan. 22nd at DRUMZ!

BEYOND BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE DJUNDUN CLASS will meet beginning Jan. 20th on THURSDAY EVENINGS from 6:45pm-7:45pm. We will work with more advanced bass drum patterns and work with traditional and also ballet style triple djun patterns. We will also explore more djun "solo" patterns and echauffement variations.

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL DJEMBE ClASS will meet Thursday evenings from 8pm-9pm beginning January 20th. This class is for those students who have been drumming for some time and have a mastery of hand technique and an understanding of rhythm fundamentals, and experience playing West African rhythm patterns. Moves at a faster pace than other classes and attention is on more complex rhythms and solos.

BEYOND BEGINNER CLASS is for those who have completed one or more Beginner classes and feel ready to move on to the next level! This class will meet on Saturday mornings from 11:15am-12:15pm. More complex rhythm patterns and more advanced bell/djun combinations will be added in this class.

2011-01-02T18:24:00.005-06:00

NEW CLASS FOR WOMEN!

WOMEN'S DRUMSISTA PERFORMANCE CLASS
BEGINS JAN.25TH, TUESDAY EVENINGS FROM 7PM-9PM. THIS CLASS IS FOR ALL LEVELS OF EXPERIENCE ON DJEMBE AND/OR DJUNDUNS!
This is a 12 week commitment and culminates in an April 16th performance Benefit Concert with Susan Lincoln's "Hildegirls"! This is a wonderful opportunity to expand and grow as a drummer and share your joy with an audience! It is quite an exhilarating experience and if you google "drumsista" on Youtube you will see clips from past performances! The classes are two hours and the session is for 12 weeks.Cost is $295. May be broken into two payments or paid monthly($100 month for the first two months and $95 for final payment). Or, pay full amount in advance at the discounted price of $240 and save $50! It is necessary to have attended at least one or two beginner class sessions to participate in the performance group or have had West African djembe classes somewhere along the line! Please feel free to call me at 512-453-9090 if you have any questions regarding this class or your participation in it! These performances classes have always ended with a most AMAZING performance! Take the leap and join us if you can, sistas!! We will even have some balafon pieces added to the drumming AND some African dance parts! This is a real opportunity to discover deeper levels of your gifts and talents!

"DARE TO DECLARE WHO YOU ARE! IT ISN'T FAR FROM THE SHORES OF SILENCE TO THE BOUNDARIES OF SPEECH. THE ROAD IS NOT LONG ,BUT THE WAY IS DEEP. AND YOU MUST NOT ONLY WALK THERE, YOU MUST BE PREPARED TO LEAP!" ~Hildegarde de Bingen

2010-10-24T15:09:00.005-05:00

NEW CLASS SESSION BEGINS OCTOBER 26th at DRUMZ! Please join us for the last six week session of classes before the holidays! Besides simply being a FUN and FANTASTIC experience and an age-old gateway to your most brilliant, shining, creative SELF, drumming and the expression of rhythm is a also a clinically proven way to relieve stress and release tension. This might be just the perfect session for you to begin your journey down the drummer's path with the quickened pace of the holiday season right around the corner! Also, we do have Gift Certificates at DRUMZ for Hand Drumming Sessions for your friends and family members who have always wanted to try it and just haven't made the leap! ( to say nothing of an amazing selection of beautiful, professional and student level drums of every description!).The Perfect Holiday Gift idea! The six weeks sessions are $90 , or $15 per class when paid in one sum, or classes are $17.50 for drop in! Please call Sherry at 453-9090 to sign up for this next session and get your name on the roster! Classes do fill up but we have openings at this time! You may pay at the first class. DRUMS ARE PROVIDED for your use in class for any of the Beginner Sessions! To move into the Beyond Beginner and Intermediate level classes it is necessary to have your own drum so that you may practice and enjoy the rhythms on your own between classes! Thank-you so much for your interest and I look forward to sharing a rhythm with you soon!
In peace and gratitude,
Sherry

WINTER HAND DRUMMING SESSION
AT DRUMZ with teacher Sherry Gingras!

Tuesdays from 4pm-5pm
Young Drummers Percussion Class-Hand drumming class for 8-12 year olds ( though exception is made for children 6 and 7 who have percussion experience or who have expressed a strong interest in and focus for rhythm and percussion and have attention spans that would allow them to learn well in a class with mostly older children. Please call Sherry at 453-9090 to discuss!)
We learn to play West African djembes and djundun ( the bass drums which are played with sticks) as well as various rhythms intruments that accompany traditional rhythms such as bells and shekere. We also do some improvisation in this class and play many different percussive instruments in our weekly "closing rhythm". These classes are warm and supportive and we have a huge amount of fun! We learn about making music together as a conversation and we learn about LISTENING as a key to making music in a group. We learn to respect each person in our circle as important and unique and each child's participation is encouraged and supported as a valuable contribution to the whole group.
This class has performed for a public community event and we may do more of these as opportunities arise! They were truly a highlight of the event!

_________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday evenings

BEYOND BEGINNER CLASS meets from 6:45pm-7:45Pm

BEGINNER CLASS meets from 8pm-9pm for "Discovering the magic of Hand Drumming 101"

_________________________________________________________________________
Thursday mornings

ALL WOMEN"S THURSDAY MORNING "REMEMBERING RHYTHM" class meets from 11am-noon. This is an all-level class though it is recommended that a beginner class series be taken before joining!

Thursday evenings

BEYOND BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE DJUNDUN CLASS meets from 6:45pm-7:45pm

INTERMEDIATE DJEMBE CLASS meets from 8-9pm. ( please speak with Sherry if you are interested in this class and have not participated in this class yet! )

_________________________________________________________________________
Saturday morning

BEGINNER HAND DRUMMING class meets from 10am-11am , "DISCOVERING THE MAGIC OF HAND DRUMMING 101"....

BEYOND BEGINNER CLASS meets from 11:15am-12:15pm

2010-08-16T00:43:00.001-05:00

Friday evening , August 20, 2010, Beginner's Introductory Workshop, "DISCOVERING THE MAGIC OF HAND DRUMMING" will be held at DRUMZ from 7pm-8:30pm with teacher and DRUMZ owner, Sherry Gingras. Sherry has been teaching hand drumming in the Austin community for over ten years and has taught hundreds and hundreds of people in the Austin area to connect to the hidden musician inside, unlock the door to untapped creative potential, find a new means of self-discovery, self -expression, and personal empowerment, and experience the joy and fulfillment of group music-making as a meaningful conversation and a powerful pathway to connectedness and belonging. Rhythm has been a means of self-expression and a way to connect to one's own unique brilliance as well as a way to connect to community for eons! Indigenous cultures have used music and rhythm as a way to build and strengthen community bonds for centuries, as well as a means of discovering, affirming, and honoring one's own unique gifts and talents. NO PREVIOUS MUSICAL EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! Join us for this evening of discovering the magic of hand drumming in a warm, supportive setting and set your spirit free!COST: $25 per person or two people for $40. Call 453-9090 to register or email Sherry at :sdrumz@austin.rr.com DRUMS ARE PROVIDED. * FALL CLASSES BEGIN SEPT. 8th,2010 ! Email or call for a full Fall Schedule!

2010-07-26T13:17:00.003-05:00

DRUMZ
Building community through connection,creativity, compassion and communication!
www.drumzaustin.com

NEW SESSION OF HAND DRUMMING CLASSES BEGINS at DRUMZ ,
3700 1/2 Kerbey Lane on Wednesday, September 7th, 2010!

Please join us for a six week session of classes in hand drumming and
enjoy the benefits that come with learning this exciting new
language, the language of the drum! Drumming/rhythm and art and movement are creative
pathways that have been used by indigenous cultures for centuries to keep people alive and well and connected to their most authentic, magnificent SELF, as well as their communities!
The benefits are known the world over and have been honored by the ancients! These include:energizing and healing the body, mind , and spirit, releasing stress
and tension, raising your spirits, opening your heart, awakening your
creative juices, honing your listening and communication skills,strengthening community bonds and discovering our common ground, discovering a new creative pathway for the expression of your most brilliant SELF, igniting your passion , renewing and strengthening your connection to
your own heart, the hearts of others, and the heart of nature and the sacredness of life! And at DRUMZ, you also get to meet a truly wonderful, supportive group of folks who, like you, are drawn to the drum and to rhythm and to self-discovery>
Validate that musician that lives inside you and let your spirit soar! And , in doing so, help raise the collective vibration of our world!
Music is our Universal language and making music together is
our birthright- not for a select few , for all of us! And if you
have a heartbeat, you have rhythm and an opportunity to express yourself creatively through the drum. As human beings, we need to honor and share the human experience of rhythm and music together! Please call to reserve your space as classes do fill up! You may pay the first day of class. Please check
the schedule for the days and times of a class that fits your needs and skill level! MC/VISA
accepted.453-9090 COST: $90 for six weeks or $17 per class

Thank-you for this opportunity to teach what I know, what I have learned along the
drummer's path, and the music that I love! I look forward to seeing you all in the Fall!
Please feel free to pass this info along to any of your family or friends who you feel may have
an interest!
May all of our rhythms be in celebration of diversity
May all of our rhythms be bridges to understanding' May all of our rhythms be
instruments of peace and healing, of joy and of hope. Axe....Axe...
In loving gratitude,
Sherry

DRUMZ FALL 2010 CLASS SCHEDULE- ADULT CLASSES & NEW "KIDZ "CLASSES

SEPTEMBER 7th- TUESDAY EVENING
Beginner djundun Class- 6:45pm-7:45pm

SEPTEMBER 8th- WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
Beginner Hand Drumming Class from 8pm-9pm
Beyond Beginner Hand Drumming Class from 6:45pm-7:45pm

SEPTEMBER 9th- THURSDAY EVENINGS
Intermediate djundun class 6:45pm-7:45pm
Intermediate Djembe class 8pm-9pm

SEPTEMBER 11- SATURDAY MORNINGS
Beginner Class- 10am-11am
Beyond Beginer Class - 11:15am- 12:15pm

NEW CLASSES***STARTING FALL 2010 on September 14th!

NEW PARENT/CHILD CLASS for 3 and 4 year olds!

"KIDZ" AFTER SCHOOL DRUMMING CLASSES- Children's Classes are in 4 week sessions for $60 per sessions. Sessions will be on-going throughout the school year.

SEPTEMBER 8th- WEDNESDAY MORNING-for 3 and 4 year old- Parent/Child Rhythm classes from 10am-11am . Begins September 15th

SEPTEMBER 7th- TUESDAY AFTERNOONS 4:30-5:30pm
DRUMZ AND WORLD PERCUSSION FOR 9-16year olds
Begins Tuesday, September 14th.

SEPTEMBER 9th- THURSDAY AFTERNOONS 4:30pm-5:30
DRUMZ AND WORLD PERCUSSION for 5-9 year olds
Begins Thursday, September 16th.

2010-06-25T13:58:00.001-05:00

Current Summer Session runs through July 22nd! Classes will resume in September. Please contact Sherry at DRUMZ, 453-9090, if you would like to be on the list to be notified of the Fall 2010 Drumming Schedule at DRUMZ!

2010-04-22T15:36:00.004-05:00

Beginner's Introduction to Hand Drumming workshop will be held at DRUMZ on May 7th from 7pm-9pm with long time Austin hand drum teacher and DRUMZ owner, Sherry Gingras! "DICOVERING THE MAGIC OF HAND DRUMMING", Celebrating Creativity, Compassion and Communication , is a workshop designed for beginners and novices who have just begun their journey on the drummer's path! If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm! Join us and explore and discover new ways to reconnect to your own heart and spirit while at the same time connecting to the hearts and rhythms of each person in the circle. Learning to listen more deeply to the heart, our inner drum, helps us each REMEMBER the time and space at the core of our being that is in complete harmony and time with ALL things. No previous musical experience is necessary and drums are provided for your use and for sale!

Indigenous cultures have always recognized the significance of the arts and music in their lives and have always used creative arts, rhythm, movement to help people connect to the community and to connect to the highest part of one's self! The sharing and expressing of rhythm with others is a human birthright and is an important part of being human. Through group drumming and community music making we strengthen and establish strong community bonds and our combined drum voice can become a voice for our collective spirit....our community! The barriers we have constructed around our differences can melt away and we are inspired and uplifted by our common humanity....our oneness with all things. We ARE the music! We ARE the rhythm!

Join us for this fun two hours and learn the FUN-damentals of hand drumming, the drum language, some exercises to develop hand technique, a traditional African rhythm and song, and experience an improvisational closing rhythm where we are invited to play any instrument in the store and empower our group intention with our collective musical creation!
Please feel free to call Sherry at 453-9090 to register or for more information. COST:$30
Space is limited so please call early to reserve your spot!

2010-03-16T21:37:00.005-05:00

HAND DRUMMING CLASSES AT DRUMZ!
THE NEXT SESSION OF HAND DRUMMING CLASSES AT DRUMZ WILL BEGIN the week of April 26th, 2010! Please call DRUMZ at 453-9090 for more information or check back for the new schedule at the end of March! Class schedule will follow the same basic format as the current session. Classes are taught in 6 week sessions, are available for all levels of players including those who are brand new drummers with no previous experiences! Drums are provided for the Beginner Level Classes. If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance, and if you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm and you CAN drum!!! Classes are $90 for six weeks of one hour classes. MC/VISA accepted. You may register by phone, email, or in person at DRUMZ at 3700 1/2 Kerbey Lane, Austin, Texas, 78731.

2010-02-23T14:53:00.003-06:00

DRUMZ, A World Percussion Paradise on Kerbey Lane! Celebrating Creativity, Compassion, Connection, and Communication through rhythm since 2002! Please join us!

WINTER II CLASSES BEGIN AT DRUMZ FEB.24th

PLEASE REVIEW THE WINTER ONE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR THE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS. ALL THE CLASSES REMAIN THE SAME TIMES AND DAYS AND COST FOR WINTER II SESSION AS IN WINTER I.

Please call Sherry Gingras at DRUMZ if you have any specific questions (453-9090) or email her at: sdrumz@austin.rr.com. Classes meet for six weeks and cost $90 for the whole session( $15 per class if paid at once) or classes may be taken on a drop in basis for $17.50 each. We play on WEST AFRICAN DJEMBE DRUMS and DJUNDUNS and learn ensemble -style !

BEGINNER HAND DRUMMING CLASSES meet Wednesday Evening from 8-9pm beginning Feb. 24th and another Beginner class meets on Saturday mornings from 10am-11am beginning Feb. 27th. No previous experience is necessary.If you have a heartbeat, you HAVE rhythm!

BEYOND BEGINNER HAND DRUMMING CLASSES meet Wednesday evening from 6:30pm-7:30pm beginning Feb. 24thand another class meets Saturday Mornings from 11:15am-12:15pm beginning Feb. 27th! For those already on the drummer's path with a good command of the drum language and an inner need to move on to the next level and a faster pace with more complex rhythm patterns.
INTERMEDIATE HAND DRUMMING Class meets Thursday evenings from 8-9pm. Class begins Thursday , Feb. 25th. Please speak to the instructor to enroll in this class! Sherry Gingras at 453-9090.

BEGINNER DJUNDUN CLASSES meet Tuesday evening starting March 2nd from 6:15pm-7:15pm. Class begins Tuesday, March 2nd. Djunduns are provided for your use during this class.

BEYOND BEGINNER/ INTERMEDIATE DJUNDUN Classes meet at DRUMZ on Thursday evenings from 6:45pm-7:45pm. Class begins Thursday evening, beginning Feb. 25th. See class description in Winter One class info below.

2010-01-10T23:46:00.003-06:00

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES IN THE DRUMZ WINTER 2010 Schedule!
The DRUMSISTA Women's Performance Class which meets on Tuesday evenings will be meeting from 7:30-9pm rather than the earlier time mentioned previously! This class is 12 weeks and begins Tuesday, Jan. 12th! This culminates in a public performance on April 17th. Call for details:453-9090 or email Sherry at: sdrumz@austin.rr.com
You must have taken at least one beginner session to join this group OR have previous hand or stick drumming experience! Thanks!

The Beginner Djundun class will be meeting from6:15pm-7:15pm now on Tuesday evenings! This class also begins Tuesday, January 12th. Please call DRUMZ at 453-9090 to register or email Sherry directly at : sdrumz@austin.rr.com

2009-12-07T13:59:00.003-06:00

Winter I Class Schedule 2010
Hand Drumming classes begin January 12,2010

With teacher, Sherry Gingras

DRUMZ....Celebrating creativity, compassion, connection & communication through rhythm!

Class sessions are six weeks long with classes meeting weekly.Cost: $90 per six week session ( $15 per class) or $17.50 per class drop in. There are duplicate classes offered in Beginner classes and also Beyond Beginner classes so that make-up classes during the sessions are available. It is not possible, however, to make up classes you miss in one session in the following session. Make-up classes do not carry over to another session but must be made up within the same six weeks session. Thank-you for your understanding and cooperation with this. I do try to provide the opportunity for people to make up a missed class within the session. And, of course, one always has the option of attending classes on a drop in basis if one knows in advance that several classes must be missed in a particular session! MC/VISA available. PLEASE CALL (453-9090)OR EMAIL DRUMZ (sdrumz@austin.rr.com)AND REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR THE CLASSES OF YOUR CHOICE AS CLASSES DO FILL UP! REMEMBER THAT GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR CLASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE! You may pay on the first day of class if you need to , but please call and confirm your spot in advance to insure that you get the class of your choice! Thanks!

*NEW CLASS*TUESDAY EVENINGS, THE DRUMSISTAS, PERFORMANCE CLASS for women will meet from 6:30pm-8pm for 12 weeks. This class will culminate in a performance in the spring at a big Benefit concert with the Djembabes and promises to be an exciting and powerful experience! It is necessary to have at least had one or two beginner sessions under your belt for this class as we will not be covering foundation instruction but will be working on material for the concert in the Spring! This class will involve djundun players, djembe players, shekere, krings, bell, and vocals! I look forward to working on some exciting new material with this group!This is a 12 week session of hour and a half class time. Cost: $250 total . Payment may be broken into two $125 payments for this class or save $25 up front and pay $225 at the first class for all 12 weeks. Class begins January 12th.

*NEW CLASS* BEGINNING DJUNDUN CLASS meets from 8:15pm-9:15pm on Tuesday evenings. This is a brand new introductory level class in djundun. If you have been fascinated by the powerful stick drums, the djunduns, this class may be for you! There is truly something very empowering and exhilarating about playing the djunduns. You do not need your own djun for this class, though students will need to purchase their own sticks for class and for practice! We will learn how to hold the sticks properly and the role each of the bass drums plays in the rhythm and in the ensemble, we will learn bell and djun combination patterns and begin our exploration of these powerful, exciting bass drums;the sangban, the kinkine, and the djundunba. We will begin to identify and discover the beautiful melodies these drums create in establishing the foundation for the rhythms. This class will take us to a whole new place of LISTENING and of FEELING! This class begins January 12th.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF HAND DRUMMING BEGINNER SERIES STARTS ON JANUARY 13th from 8pm-9pm. This class covers the fundamentals of hand drumming and rhythm, technique instruction, exercises to develop technique, a traditional rhythm pattern with all the parts of the ensemble from West AFrica, as well as an opportunity to explore grup music making and improvisation with many instruments. NO PREVIOUS MUSICAL EXPERIENCE is necessary! If you have a heartbeat, you HAVE rhythm! Join us and wake up your own inner rhythmic sensibilities while learning to share rhythm with others...a very basic human need! Watch your spirit soar and your creative potential unfold! Drumz are provided for classes and though it is always ideal to have your own drum for practice, it is not required. Class begins January 13th!

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS " BEYOND BEGINNER" CLASS meets from 6:45pm-7:45pm. This class is for those folks already familiar with playing West African rhythms and hand drums. If you have taken the beginner sessions enough times to feel totally comfortable with learning rhythms and that level of complexity, have a good understanding of the hand technique and just feel an inner need to "move onward" on the drummer's path, this class is for you! We work with more complex rhythms, move at a faster pace in class, and begin working on more complicated djun/bell combination rhythms. When learning to drum it is essential to feel relaxed and at ease and content with being where you are in your development as a drummer in order to develop more precision, fluidity, memorization, technique, balance, accurate timing, refined listening skills etc.BEING WHERE WE ARE is one of life's challenges, especially in our culture where moving ahead is promoted so ruthlessly! Master where you ARE, rather than always seeking to be somewhere else that you perceive to be a destination and you will see yourself grow and develop and unfold as the drummer that you ARE in a beautiful way.Class begins on January 13th!

THURSDAY MORNING WOMEN'S CLASS, "REMEMBERING RHYTHM" meets from 10:30am-11:30ish every Thursday morning! This is a really fun, supportive, relaxed group of women learning to make music together through our drums and rhythms and songs. It is an all level class but it is recomended that you have at least completed one Beginner Level session ( or have some drumming experience under your belt!) to attend this group as we do not cover the fundamentals in this class. Starts January 14th!

THURSDAY EVENING INTERMEDIATE/BEYOND BEGINNER DJUNDUN CLASS meets from 6:45pm-7:45pm. This has been an exceptionally fun class and the students attending these djuns classes have advanced with amazing speed! It has been wonderful to have a class where we focus exclusively on the powerful bass drums of the ensemble, the lovely, melodic Sangban, the precise, steady Kinkine, and the resonant, powerful djundunba! We work with djun/bell combinations and move at a relatively fast pace in this class. It is necessary to have your own sticks and a djundun or some form of drum to practice on with sticks for this class in order to progress and keep up with the other class members. I am offereing a new beginer djundun class on Tuesdays for students who do NOT have a djun and wish to begin this study. Class begins January 14th.

THURSDAY EVENING INTERMEDIATE DJEMBE CLASS meets from 8-9pm on Thursday evenings. In this class we develop more complicated "arrangements"with our rhythms, learn traditional solo patterns and phrasings, and in general work at a faster pace and a more advanced level. If you have a question on whether or not you would be at an appropriate level for this class, please feel free to call me and together we can make a good decision that can help you develop and grow as a drummer in a healthy way, with respect for the culture and the instruments we play without PUSHING yourself and thus impeding your natural progression as a drummer.Class starts January 14th.

SATURDAY MORNING BEGINNER CLASS meets Saturday mornings from 10am-11am beginning January 16th! Join us for a Discovering the Magic of Hand Drumming series and watch your inner musician and your creative spirit come to life! Please see the class description detailed above for Wednesday evening BEGINNER Class! If you need to miss a Saturday class you may always make up the class on a Wednesday evening! This class begins on January 16th! A little drumming and rhythm making and an enjoyable a breakfast at Kerbey Lane Cafe ( before OR after class) and your Saturday will start off like a dream!

SATURDAY MORNING BEYOND BEGINNER CLASS meets from 11:15am -12:15pm on Saturday mornings. This class is the same level as the Wednesday evening class and it is possible to go back and forth between the two classes if you must do so to accommodate your schedule or if you miss a class due to illness. Plerase see class description above! This class begins Saturday morning, January 16th.

2009-11-24T18:11:00.003-06:00

DRUMZ will begin the 2010 Winter Session on January 12th!
The schedule will be posted very soon! Gift certificates for our
six week sessions are available for holiday gifts! Classes are
offered in all levels! Sessions are still only $90 for six weeks of weekly
classes.There are some exciting NEW classes being offered in the Winter
2010 Session!
*A new class for Beginner Djundun will be offered
in the new session as well as a new 12 week women's performance class
on Tuesday evenings, "The Drumsistas!" . There will also be a new vocal
class," The JOY of African Songs", offered for men and women culminating
in a performance with THE DJEMBABES and " The Drumsistas!" at a
Spring Benefit Concert! We are also offereing a didgeridoo session with Eliot Stone!

Our regular classes are offered for Beginner , Beyond Beginner, and Intermediate
level students with a Djundun class offered for Intermediate/Beyond Beginners as
well.Please call DRUMZ at 453-9090 or email us at: sdrumz@austin.rr.com for details or to add your name to our email list for class information and schedules!

2009-11-24T17:55:00.005-06:00

ON DECEMBER 6, 2009, A SUNDAY AFTERNOON FROM 4pm-6pm, SHERRY WILL BE TEACHING ANOTHER "DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF HAND DRUMMING" WORKSHOP FOR BEGINNERS!
Everyone is invited to join us and see what all the fun is about! Drum Circles are happening everywhere! People are drawn to drumming from a place deep within...that place inside each of us where harmony and peace reside...where everything is in sync and in time...the core of our being! Rhythm surrounds us and is inside of us...everything is in rhythm all the time! It is a basic human need to share and express rhythm together with others! Group music making is our birthright and helps keep us healthy and happy as individuals and collectively! Come enjoy an introduction to hand drumming and learn the FUN-damentals! No previous musical experience is necessary! If you have a heartbeat, you HAVE rhythm! Drumming brings many benefits to our bodies, minds, and spirits. Drumming can bring you to a deeper level of relaxation, stress release,higher energy, a doorway to your creative potential, and a new way to express yourself and connect with others! Please call for more information or to register! MC/VISA accepted. 512-453-9090. Call early to save your space!COST: $35. Drums are provided.

2009-10-20T14:52:00.004-05:00

Fall Classes underway at DRUMZ!
The Fall ll session of classes began Oct. 14, 2009 for weekday classes and the Saturday classes begin their NEW SESSION this Saturday, Oct. 24th!

Greetings!
Just a reminder that the Fall ll Session, which will be the last six week session of 2009, begins next week! After this session we are all in the midst of Holiday goings-on and the on-going classes will be on break until January 2010. I look forward to sharing a rhythm with you soon! Remember, drumming relaxes, energizes, and inspires our bodies, minds, and spirits and is accessible to everyone! If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm! Join us in a lovely and nurturing environment, , FILLED with percussive toys , with a warm, supportive group of new friends as you discover and liberate the creative musician inside yourself! DRUMZ is located in a charming and convenient Central Austin neighborhood just off West 35th and Mopac on Kerbey Lane, between Kerbey Lane Cafe and Pasta Plus! 3700 1/2 Kerbey Lane. 512-453-9090. Sherry Gingras has been teaching hand drumming in Austin for over 12 years. Drums are provided for beginners! DRUMZ has Austin's largest selection of World Percussion instruments including extreme & phenomenal DJEMBES from West Africa! Please feel free to send this schedule on to your friends who may be interested in a class!

FYI! The New Djundun class on Thursday evenings at 6:45pm has been very full, of students and of fun, so I have decided to continue this class in the next session! That class is Intermediate level/Beyond Beginner and it is optimal ( though not required) to have your own djundun and sticks ( the sticks are in now at DRUMZ!) or at least have the plan to get one in the not too distant future in order to practice! The class is moving along very quickly! I plan to offer a Beginner Level Djundun class in January for those of you contemplating learning to play these wonderful and very gratifying bass drums!

Also, remember that Oct. 23rd, Friday evening from 7-9pm Eliot stone is teaching another all level didgeridoo workshop at DRUMZ. Eliot has just returned from a trip to Australia where he studied in the Yolngu community in the remote bush country of Northern Australia and was given permission to share the teachings by the custodian of this ancient tradition. didges will be provided for use and for sale.Workshop cost: $40
Peace,love, and gratitude, Sherry

DRUMZ

A World Percussion Paradise on Kerbey Lane

Celebrating creativity, community, compassion and connection!
FALL ll Schedule
NEW 6-week SESSION OF CLASSES BEGINS DRUMZ

Weekday Drumz Classes Begin October 14 and 15

Wednesdays, beginning October 14

Beyond Beginner - 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Beginner – 8-9 pm

Thursdays, beginning October 15

Women-only Class - 10:30 - 11:30 am

Djundun Class (Intermediate/Beyond Beginner)- 6:45 - 7:45 pm

Intermediate Djembe - 8 – 9 pm

Weekend Drumz Classes Begin October 24

Saturdays, beginning October 24

(Saturday classes started a week later last session, and begin a week later this session)

Beginner - 10 - 11 am

Beyond Beginner - 11:15 am - 12:15pm

To register, call 453-9090. Classes are $90 per six-week session.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: www.drumzaustin.net

2009-07-12T17:38:00.001-05:00

NEW FALL SESSION BEGINS SEPTEMBER 2nd!

Summer classes are drawing to a close and I am going to be traveling a bit the last two weeks in July and also the last ten days in August! I look forward to returning to the regular six week class sessions in the Fall and hope to see your smiling faces again in September ( along with a lot of new ones!). It has been another amazing year of teaching and I believe my trip to Guinea in West Africa in January to study again with Mamady Keita will be an experience that will deepen and enrich my teaching and drumming skills for ever more. Getting to experience Africa first hand and learn this music and the traditions while actually feeling, breathing, smelling, touching and tasting this rich and beautiful culture, was a powerful experience for me and I will be forever grateful for all that I learned. I am excited about teaching you all much more of what I learned in Guinea in the Fall and I thank-you each of you for your dedication and commitment as students of the drum this last year. Thank-you for supporting me as a teacher and thank-you so much for your continued support of DRUMZ during this challenging economic time! Shopping locally in these times is more important to small Austin businesses than ever before. I will be teaching several workshops during the remainder of the summer here at DRUMZ, including an Intermediate/Beyond Beginner Djundun workshop on July 22, a Wednesday evening from 7-9pm and also a Beginner's Discovering the Magic Workshop from 7-9pm on Friday evening July 24th. Please call DRUMZ to register for either of these or for more information, or check out "Workshops" on the website! Also check in with www.rhythmconnection.net for updates.
May all of our rhythms be in celebration of diversity, may all of our rhythms be bridges to understanding, and may all of our rhythms be instruments of peace, of healing, of joy, and of hope! Axe Axe
In love and gratitude,
Sherry

2009-07-12T17:10:00.002-05:00

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS:
"The BASICS: BEGINNING ON THE DRUMMER'S PATH", a class for beginners! This class meets from 8-9pm on Wednesday evenings at DRUMZ, 3700 1/2 Kerbey Lane in the purple Cottage behind "Caroline's". This is a six week session for $90 or classes are $17 each drop-in basis. Begins September 2nd. NO PREVIOUS MUSICAL EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY AND DRUMS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE BEGINNER CLASSES! Come join us for a fun, creative, musical experience where we learn a new language , the language of the DRUM, with which to communicate and connect with other's and to express ourselves and our spirits in a vibrant and joyful new way! Rhythm is our natived tongue and we can all learn to speak expressively with our instruments through the Universal language of music. We will learn and explore West African style rhythms and songs as well as improvisational pieces! Join us and reclaim the musician inside YOU!

BEYOND BEGINNER CLASS , FOR THOSE STUDENTS WITH PREVIOUS DRUM EXPERIENCE . This class Meets 6:45pm-7:45 PM, SIX WEEK SESSION, Six classes for $90 or $17 per class drop-in at DRUMZ .Teacher, Sherry Gingras STARTS Sept. 2nd. Join this class for a faster pace, more complex rhythm patterns, and beginning experience with soloing.

THURSDAYS
Thursday Morning Women’s Drum Circle/Class, “ Remembering Rhythm” will meet from 10:30am-11:30am at Drumz! This is an all level class but the beginner’s session is recommended first to cover the fundamentals! $90 for six weeks session. Begins Thursday,Sept. 3rd!

**(NEW!) Thursday evening: Serious Drummin’ Djundun Classes for Beyond Beginner/Intermediates! 6:45pm-7:45pm Please bring your own sticks! (sticks are available for sale at DRUMZ or you can find large drum sticks at music stores) This class is new and will be a weekly class which will take place the first six weeks in the Fall session. I will then determine if this class needs to be an on-going class or just an occasional option for a six week session periodically. Limit 12 students. Please let me know if you are interested in
this class.

Thursday evening INTERMEDIATE Level Djembe Class. 8-9pm. This class will focus on more advanced rhythms and the djembe, though djuns will be played in this class as well.
We will work with more complicated intro pieces and breaks with djembe and djuns and some traditional solo work on djembe as well.

SATURDAY MORNINGS

Saturday morning Beginner Class- 10-11am begins September 5th.
Saturday morning Beyond Beginner – 11am-noon begins September 5th.

All classes with teacher Sherry Gingras

2007-02-19T17:39:00.000-06:00

Spring II Session begins at Drumz with Sherry Gingras on March 21st, the week following Spring Break! The schedule will remain the same:

Beginner's Class- Wednesday from 8pm-9pm and Thursday from 6:45pm-7:45pm

Beyond Beginner- Wednesday from 6:45pm-7:45pm

Intermediate ( with djun class/djembe class for 1 1/2 hours)will meet on Thursdays from 8-9:30pm.
Please call to register at 453-9090! Beginner classes fill early so please reserve your space as soon as possible so we can get you started on this amazing drummer's path!

2007-01-08T16:46:00.000-06:00

MOUSSA DIABATE, master dancer and drummer from Guinea, West Africa, now residing in Dallas, Texas, will be here in Austin the first weekend in February for dance workshops and drum workshops! Save that weekend! The schedule is as follows:
DRUM CLASS-Saturday morning from 10am-noon- all level class including beginners

DRUM CLASS-Saturday afternoon -2pm-4pm- Intermediate
DANCE CLASS- Saturday Afternoon 4:30pm-5:30pm- All level

DRUM CLASS- Saturday evening-8-9:30pm- Advanced

2006-12-15T11:41:00.000-06:00

HAND DRUMMING CLASS SCHEDULE 2007!
The New Session of Hand Drumming Classes at DRUMZ begins on January 17th! Please join us and learn to play the drums in a supportive and nurturing group setting. Drumz has the largest selection of hand drums, hand percussion, and world instruments in the city of Austin( probably even in the state of Texas!) and here we explore the possibility of creating in-the-moment music together in our classes in the closing rhythms, as well as learning the fundamentals of rhythm and drumming, hand technique, drum circle ettiquette, how to select "your" drum, as well as learning a wide range of Traditional West African and Afro-haitian, Afro-Cuban rhythm songs and patterns. Classes are available for a range of skill levels! Everyone is welcome, regardless of musical background. If you have a heartbeat, you have rhythm! Group drumming brings us together and teaches us about BE-ING in community with one another in a healthy, cooperative and open way. In these classes we come together in a spirit of cooperation and community rather than competition. Everyone is honored and encouraged to BE WHERE YOU ARE in your development as a drummer. Repetition and commitment, practice and playing, and moving to the next level only when you are relaxed and ready and truly accepting of where you ARE, are all part of the process of learning to drum, and of living life. Open the channel to your creative spirit and liberate your inner musician as you play these beautiful and magical West African hand drums! Enjoy a new level of listening, and self-expression as you play these amazing rhythms in a group of enthusiastic and open-hearted new friends. Drumming provides us with a gateway to our own spirit and the spirit of a community. What the world needs now is drums, sweet drums!

Wednesday evening, The Magic of Hand drumming for Beginners, starts January 17th, 2007. This class is for those of you just embarking on the drummer's path, as well as those of you who have taken a session or two and still feel this level is the appropriate level for YOU! This is not PASS/FAIL, this is about learning! Learning to drum, and learning to honor your own unique rhythm in this life as well as honoring your learning style and tempo! There are TWO beginner class times this session.
WEDNESDAYS from 8-9pm (Beginners) Starts Jan. 17th
THURSDAYS from 6:45pm-7:45pm. (Beginners)Starts Jan. 18th.

Wednesday evening, BEYOND BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE Class meets from 6:45pm-7:45pm and is for those students who are ready for a faster paced class, have learned and practiced hand technique on West African djembe, are relaxed and playing with ease in the beginner level classes and feel comfortably ready and able to move on to the next level with their playing. More complex rhythm patterns and more bell/djun combinations will be added in these classes.Begins Jan. 17th.

THURSDAY evening INTERMEDIATE level, will meet from 8pm to 9:30pm. The first 30 minutes of this class will be focussed on Djundun/bell playing. Djembe focus will begin at 8:30pm. This class will be $95 per six weeks session. For students who feel they are Intermediate level who wish ONLY to participate in the djembe portion of this class and cannot make the Wednesday evening class, this class will be available for the regular $75 per session for 8:30-9:30pm class.*Begins Jan. 18, 2007.
*I strongly encourage everyone to come for the whole class because the relationship between the djunduns and the djembes and the understanding of that relationship is so crucial to the understanding of these rhythms and this music we play! This music is intricate and incredible and filled with magic and we are only scratching the service of what it holds for us!

THURSDAY MORNING WOMEN ONLY CLASS "Remembering Rhythm" 10:30am-11:45am This is an on going all-level class for women only. Please join this very spirited and enthusiatic group of women in playing the rhythms and singing the songs that open our hearts and free our souls to soar! *This class rocks! Begins Jan. 18th, 2007.
* I urge the women who take this class to first take a beginner's session as we do not cover the fundamentals of rhythm and the beginning instruction on hand technique in this class. If you feel you should be considered as a possibility for an exception, please call Sherry at Drumz at 453-9090 and we'll talk!
I look forward to sharing a rhythm with you soon! Please remember that ALL of our current popular music in the United States has it's roots in this amazing music from Africa.
It is out of great love for this music and with great honor and gratitude for my teachers, the makers of these drums, and the rich and beautiful traditions from which this music has evolved that I humbly teach what I know in these classes at Drumz. You, the students, have made them most remarkable and I thank-you!
In Peace,
Sherry Gingras

Please call DRUMZ at 453-9090 to register. Call early to insure a space as these classes usually fill to capacity early. MC/VISA accepted. Sessions are all six weeks in length and classes are one hour each and the cost is $75 per session or $15 per class drop in ( with the exception of intermediate class which is 1 1/2 hours and is $95)

2006-03-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

NEW CHILDREN'S DRUMMING CLASSES BEGINS Feb.17th.These classes will be taking place for 4 Saturday mornings in a row starting on Feb.17th. Please email me ( or call the store at 453-9090) if you are interested in these classes! These 5-9 year old classes will meet from 10AM-10:45AM. These classes will cover the FUN-damentals of drumming and rhythm , with the real emphasis on FUN! We will play rhythm games, learn about a wide range of rhythm instruments and drums and their origins, learn about drumming as a language and a tool for self-expression and communication, hone our LISTENING skills, and learn about creating spontaneous music in a group setting. We will use music to tell a story, learn an African song and rhythm and learn to speak our names with our drums.We meet in a circle and learn about being in a community where everyone is equally respected and honored and everyone's voice is as important and valuable and beautiful as everyone else's. Parents can enjoy a late morning breakfast at Kerbey Lane Cafe ( next door) while the kidz get to play at DRUMZ! Cost: $50 for four one hour classes. MC/VISA accepted. Please call to register or find out more at :453-9090 Teacher: Sherry Gingras, Drumz proprietress.**