“Beginning-Intermediate West African Drumming” is an African drum course that explores traditional djembe and dundun arrangements from the Malinke and Soussou people from Guinea, West Africa. Special emphasis will be placed on making the music accessible to all skill levels.

There will be no charge for the first month of classes.

Studying traditional West African drumming is a great way to practice all Five Principles of Unity, can help increase self-confidence, memory skill, improve creativity, build teamwork, and may offer many other benefits (see below):

• Increase self-confidence
• Increase memory skill
• Increase coordination
• Increase listening skills
• Increase creativity
• Improve communication skills
• Build community
• Teach teamwork
• Improve musicality
• Help to keep you in the present
• Contribute to healing
• Be a great way to exercise
• Naturally increase endorphin levels
• Improve relaxation
• Help us to feel more human/connected by connecting us to universal humanity
• Create new healthy neural pathways
• Can assist with recovery from trauma, addiction, depression and anxiety
• As you learn bilateral patterns, you create new neural pathways which are associated with a plethora of other healing attributes. In evidence-based literature, this has been identified as a key element for helping overcome trauma, addiction, depression, anxiety along with many other maladies.

Instructor Bio:

With over 20 years of West African drum experience, Neil brings a truly unique background to Unity of Springfield. He studied under Ibrahima Camera (National Ballet of Senegal), MBemba Bangoura (Ballet Djoliba, Guinea), Michael Markus (Magbana Drum and Dance, New York) Bowrodo & Laurent Camera (Ballet Africains) & other principal members of Ballet Africains, Ballet Djoliba & Ballet Tayeli. He also studied in residence in Conakry, Guinea for 6 months. Neil worked in NY for 12 years as a percussionist performing on Central Park Summer Stage, Times Square (Nokia Theater) and S.O.Bs (Sounds of Brazil) to sold out audiences.

He began teaching theater and music appreciation to children as a teenager at Pinon Canyon Center in Tijeras Canyon, NM and also teaches English and computers!

Known for being particularly nurturing and able to facilitate dynamic classes where advanced and beginner students play together, he is always seeking that right balance between challenge and encouragement!

He knows he will be a lifelong student of the traditions of Guinea! Neil just moved to Springfield, is eager to share & truly loves teaching!