Melbourne classes - 2008

Learn African drumming from one of Australia's best performers and teachers - Ray Pereira.
A variety of classes are available to suit beginners, experienced players or group workshops. Ray will teach you great hand technique and how to hear and play inspiring rhythms on a variety of drums and percussion instruments.


Introductory classes
These classes are a great way for new students to come and try African Drumming. No drumming experience is required! Currently Introductory classes are being held in Footscray on Wednesday nights and Fitzroy on Monday nights.

The next introductory classes start in Melbourne from July 14, and will continue to run while Ray is overseas.

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  Next Introductory Classes for beginners

Fitzroy

from Monday July 14, 2008 6.00pm
Rafiki of Africa, 260 Johnson St Fitzroy.

Footscray

from Wednesday July 16, 2008 6.30pm
Footscray Primary School cnr Geelong Rd and Barkly Sts Footscray.

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You can REGISTER NOW for the next round of Introductory Courses in Melbourne - Bookings are essential and classes fill up fast.

 

  Classes for kids!

African Drumming for children with Ray Pereira
Due to popular demand Ray Pereira will be running community African drumming workshops especially for children again in 2008 in Melbourne. Courses commence each school term. Contact Ray for details....

 

  Ongoing Courses

Fitzroy Classes

at Rafiki of Africa
260 Johnson St Fitzroy
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*NEW* Introductory Beginners: classes from July 14
- Monday Nights from 6pm - Cost $20
Intermediate 1: Thursday nights from 6pm -Cost $25 / $20 conc
Intermediate 2: Thursday nights from 7:15pm (6mths plus experience) - Cost $25/$20conc

 

Footscray classes

at Footscray Primary School
Geelong Rd Footscray
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Internediate: Tuesday nights 6.30pm - 8.00pm - Cost $25 / $20 conc
*NEW* Introductory Beginners: classes from July 16
- Wednesday nights from 6.30pm. Cost $20
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Advanced classes:
Tuesday nights 8pm-9.30pm Cost $25 (Not currently open to new students).
These weekly classes take place at the Dancing Dog Cafe, 42 Albert St, Footscray.

Community Drum Ensemble "Drumbalaya"
Meets Weds nights 8-9.30pm at Footscray Primary School, Geelong Rd, Footscray.
"Drumbalaya " is a community based drumming group playing a repertoire that includes influences from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australia. A variety of percussion instruments are used.
People wishing to join this ensemble need to contact Ray for info on when workshops will be held for new members.

 

  Interstate Workshops

Ray frequently travels to other states to conduct special classes. It's a great opportunity for drummers of all levels to participate in Ray's acclaimed workshops - where students can explore traditional African rhythms, learn great hand drumming and percussion techniques and improve their sense of rhythm and time. Beginner, intermediate and advanced levels all catered for.See calendar for details of next workshop in your area.

For workshops in Sydney contact Mike Almond mike@feelrhythm.com.au or 0402 101 843.

 

More about drumming lessons with Ray...

 

General Information
Ray teaches technique on conga, djembe, kpanlogo, dun-dun, bongo and a variety of small percussion instruments. Class content includes material collected on regular visits to West Africa which have established Ray’s reputation for knowledge and insight on West African & Afro-Cuban rhythms and drumming techniques. His students gain a deep understanding of traditional rhythms as they learn how the individual parts fit together. Courses are held throughout the year on a regular basis in Melbourne, in Footscray and Fitzroy. Classes are usually run in blocks of four classes (over consecutive weeks). Ray also conducts interstate workshops and teaches in schools as a percussion teacher and artist in residence.

Introductory Classes
You will be shown basic technique on djembe, and learn a West African rhythm with several parts. These classes will be taught by Talia in Fitzroy and Jacob in Footscray, under Ray's supervision. Both Jacob and Talia are experienced drummers who have studied with Ray for over 7 years and undergone his teacher training course as well as travelling to West Africa for study and training. They will be teaching an introductory course designed and supervised by Ray which allows new students to then feed into Ray’s ongoing ‘beginner’ and ‘intermediate’level courses in Footscray and Fitzroy.

Payment
Introductory classes cost $20 per class. Payment for the course is made one class in advance. Eg: If you want to enroll for the course, payment of $40 is made at the first class. Then $20 for each subsequent week. No payment is made on the fourth week. The same system is then repeated if you continue with subsequent courses taught by Jacob and Talia. When you move up into a course taught by Ray the cost of these classes is $25/$20con per class also paid one class in advance.

Fees for professional organisations, schools and community groups can be discussed directly with Ray.

Benefits for students
Drumming with Ray is a lot of fun and non competitive, but with this comes the challenge to improve and learn more about the rhythms, songs and culture of the music being played and the goal of stepping up to an intermediate class as you improve and gain more experience.

A drum can be provided for use in introductory lesson at no extra charge if you need one. Please contact your teacher in advance if this is the case.

Students are welcome to make audio visual recordings of the classes to aid their study. Written material is also delivered as part of the course.

Contact Ray for more details and to register your interest in classes.

Schools can click here for more information or contact Ray about percussion classes for students of all ages.

If you would like to organise a corporate workshop or performance, please visit performance and bookings for more details.