Amelia
Hagger
I have been playing violin since knee-high to a grass hopper and have loved performing
over the years because of the enjoyment people get from listening to live music!!!!
I started African drumming when I moved back to Melbourne in 2005 and became
hooked
–
buying my own drum that first week!! The rhythms are soooooooo alive! I enjoy
dancing and being outdoors, am a full-time student and work part time, as well
as go rowing, so unfortunately don’t get as much time to play as I’d like… but
when I do it’s hard to stop!!
Caroline
Ondracek
Drawn by the rhythm of African drums I have been learning to play the djembe since 2006. I have currently switched my passions to the heady beats of African dance and hope to perform alongside the drummers one day very soon! I feel very fortunate to be involved with such a great group of people that have a wonderful spirit and enthusiasm for both music and helping others.
Christy Wojniusz
The first time I picked up a djembe was on the beach in Singaraja, Bali in 2006.
Not having been musically inclined, I was surprised at how comfortable I felt
with this instrument. Drummers really aren't kidding when they say it's addictive!!
When I got back to Australia I began lessons with Mady Keita and Ben Coleman.
I soon became a member of PdR and have never looked back. I'm loving being
a part of what they do and what they stand for. They're an amazingly passionate
and
eclectic
pack that I'm proud to be one of.
Jeremy Prentice
I began my djembe journey in late 2005 - and have never looked back! For me, learning the djembe really IS a journey, so much more than just playing an instrument. To feel the rhythm with your whole being is to really know it and that's what inspires me to keep learning. A journey without end, the djembe (and all percussion) is now my way of life. I also enjoy playing the didge, which complements the djembe beautifully. I usually play lead djembe for PdR, and am currently continuing my djembe journey under the Malian Master Drummer, Mady Keita.
Ken Wall
My interest in African rhythms started when I was living and working in Africa and continued through using rhythm and percussion in facilitating creativity and team building workshops. I eventually decided it was time to learn to play properly in 2005! Teachers have included Mark Dodsworth from Red Zebra in Cape Town, and Ben Coleman, Simon Fraser and Madi Keita in Melbourne. Being a part of PdR is just sensational - it's hard to imagine a more diverse group of people coming together to enjoy and share the richness of African music and at the same time do something about the appaling poverty we see throughout the African continent.
Kosta Michalopoulos
From the very first moment I touched the djembe the connection was overwhelming.
Having drummed since early 2005, my love for West African traditional
drumming is growing immensely. I have studied under Simon Fraser,
Mady Keita, and Alliou Sylla. My dream is to travel to West Africa and
study with the legends of drumming. Since joining PdR I
feel very fortunate that we are able to help people, whilst at the same
time sharing the magic of West African music with everyone. Currently I
play the djembe, although I love experimenting with bells, shakers, duns
and the balafone.
Kylie Bayens
Called to the drum after hearing it at many festivals, I have been studying
african drumming since 2006, teachers including Ben Coleman, Simon Fraser,
Mady Keita and Simon Lewis. I was fortunate enough to attend
a four week intensive African drumming study tour in Nungua, Ghana, West
Africa during this time. A non musical background, I have discovered an amazing
passion for music which has inspired me to join PdR and
further my studies. I mainly play the dun duns in PdR,
although sometimes the djembe.
Lee Tipton
I began playing piano when I was 12, and took up
guitar and singing midway through university. My
introduction to percussion was through Taiko with the
Sydney ensemble Taikoz - I currently learn with
Wakaido Rindo in Melbourne. I have studied West
African Percussion with Sokan in Strasbourg and
various teachers in London, having many vibrant
sessions at the Camden Markets. I joined PdR in May 2007 and felt instantly at one with
them and their cause. I currently study djembe under
Mady Keita in Melbourne.
Lina Canales
My spiritual path has led me to the wonderful world of drumming and for the
past fourteen years I haven't stopped. During this time I have performed
to name a few at the Hifi Bar, Planet Earth, Espy, VMTCthe Billinudgel
Primary School in New South Wales and have been a member of the Lamberty
Drummers. Over the past ten years I have studied with Anne Harking in her
African/Middle Eastern drumming classes, as well as with Vince Lamberty,
Annita Larkin,
Simon Lewis, Ben Coleman and Mady Keita. For me, the meaning in drumming
is the vibration, as this travels around the world and heals people.
Louisa Perrin
It was 1997 when I first became hooked on drumming in Adelaide,
learning from drumming greats Ray Pereira and Phil Jones. During those
2 years, I performed with Afrocuban band Small Village which was great
fun! After a very extended break from the congas, I am now living in Melbourne
learning on a different type of drum, the African djembe, from Ben Coleman.
I have been a member of PdR since August 2007 and have once again caught
the performing bug! I am so proud of the PdR philosophy of sharing our
love
of African
rhythms with the Melbourne community and giving back to the people in the
country where it all originates.
Sarina Meusburger
I first became interested in African drumming at a festival in the
Netherlands where I was introduced to a drumming workshop. Thus began
the affair and I fell in love with it. It wasn't until a few years
later though when a friend bought a drum for me at Woodford Folk
Festival that I decided to take up proper lessons with Ben Coleman
then Mady Keita in Melbourne, both who taught me the importance of
rhythm, timing and having fun with it all. I also learnt arabic
drumming too with Anita Larkin at Underbelly and our very own, Tony
Lou, and enjoyed playing for belly dancers and impromptu at random
parties. PdR has been an inspiration for me to share
the wonderful rhythms of Africa with others, and in turn to have an
opportunity to help those countries that have inspired me along my
drumming path. To give and to receive! It is my hope to one day visit
these countries to improve my drumming knowledge and to meet more of
the folk that bring these inspired rhythms to our shores.