WORKSHOPS & CLASSES IN 2008
Sponsored by Rhythm Traders:

Mamady Keita's Portland Workshop 2008

FAMOUDOU KONATE Workshop TOUR 2008:

 SORRY, SOLD OUT!!
HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 2009!!

4 day Workshop: Thursday, June 26 through Sunday, June 29, 2008
$350.00 for all 4 days, or $100.00 per day.
Each day will consist of 4 hours of instruction, plus breaks.
You'll find all the details and registration info at: FAMOUDOU KONATE 2008 INFO


ONGOING CLASSES AT RHYTHM TRADERS:

 We've got some great ongoing classes for all ages and abilities!!
Latin Percussion and Conga Drum Lessons with Bobby Torres
 is our newest class! Join Bobby Torres as he focuses on teaching all levels in this group class proper technique, how to achieve good tone, resonance, and melody, how to play in time to the clave, and to "lock-in" with other drummers. Each student will be given specific rhythmic patterns to play within group drum phrases. This is a terrific class!
Saturday Samba School
 is an ongoing workshop with instruction on how to play Samba and the wide variety of percussion instruments that make up the Brazilian bateria. Technique, time, and rhythmic designs emphasized. The classes will be taught by members of the Lions of Batucada. They provide a focused learning environment, open to all levels of experience. Dedicated practice will be the key to advancement. Goal oriented individuals are welcome to aim at joining the Lions of Batucada, Portland's forty-some member performing escola. A great class for all abilities.

Djembe classes taught by Caton Lyles
 We have both Djembe Explore! and our regular Djembe class. Djembe Explore! is a Djembe class designed especially for adult and youth beginners. It starts at the VERY beginning. Learn hand techniques, posture, the various instruments and basic rhythms. This class will prepare you for our regular djembe class.

Caton's regular Djembe class assumes that you already have familiarity with the djembe, including hand technique and basic rhythms and is for non-beginners. This class focuses on the rhythms of Guinea and Mali. You will learn to play djembe and dununs, while continuing to work on bass, tone, slap hand techniques and rhythms with multiple parts. This class incorporates all levels (except real beginners). Beginners and Intermediate players will come away with more knowledge of various hand techniques and rhythms, while advanced students will learn more complicated parts and breaks.

Check our schedules below for times, prices, and more info...
 As always, you may EMAIL or call us at (503)288-6950...for the latest info.
WEEKLY CLASSES:
CLASS: DAY: TIME: LEVEL: INSTRUCTOR:
Djembe Explore! Saturdays 11:00am-12:00 noon Beginners Caton
Djembe Saturdays 12:30pm-1:30pm Non-beginners Caton
Conga Saturdays 1:45-2:45pm All Levels Caton
Saturday Samba School Saturdays 3:30-5:00pm All Levels Lions of Batucada
Latin Percussion &
Conga Drum Lessons		 Saturdays 5:00-6:30pm All Levels Bobby Torres


  • Most Classes are ongoing, so you can begin lessons at any time.
  • Bobby Torres' class is $15.00 per class, if you pay in advance for 9 classes, the 10th is free!
  • All Caton's classes cost $12.00 drop-in, or 5 classes for $50.00.
  • A limited number of drums are kept for class use, but students are encouraged to bring their own.
All of our DRUM CLASSES are held in our on site studio in our store location at 424 NE Broadway in Portland!
For more information, please call us at: 503-288-6950
In addition, private lessons with any of our teachers can be arranged. If you are a music teacher, looking for studio space, please contact Rhythm Traders for more information about renting our studio.


LATIN PERCUSSION AND CONGA DRUM LESSONS WITH BOBBY TORRES!!!


Bobby Torres
Join Bobby Torres on Saturdays from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. for Latin Percussion and Conga Drum lessons. Classes are held at Rhythm Traders (424 NE Broadway, Portland, OR). Cost is $15.00 per class. If you pay in advance for 9 classes, the 10th class is FREE!

This group class is designed for all levels. It will focus on learning proper technique (for endurance and to avoid injury), to achieve good tone, resonance and melody, to play in time to the clave, and to "lock-in" with other drummers. Each student will be given specific rhythmic patterns to play within group drum phrases. Bring your drum to class!

Bobby also offers private lessons. For more information and to register, contact Bobby via email at: bobby@bobbytorres.com , go to his website: www.bobbytorres.com , or call him at: (503)224-9314.


DRUMSET LESSONS AT RHYTHM TRADERS!
NOW ACCEPTING STUDENTS!


FREE 1st Lesson with Purchase of ANY Drum set!

OUR LESSONS: We've assembled the best team of drumset instructors that we could imagine...specializing in teaching beginners, budding high school players, as well as experienced players wanting to learn some new tricks in the realm of jazz, rock, funk, and Latin drumset.

 OUR TEACHERS: We've got a great team of drumset instructors...For a listing of our teachers, their bios, and contact info, check out our ALL-STAR TEAM of TEACHERS.

HOW IT WORKS: New Students should contact the teacher directly for openings or call us at the shop for recommendations. Students will generally study with their teacher 1/2 hour each week, unless arranged otherwise. Most teachers charge $20.00 for a weekly, private, 1/2 hour lesson.

 FINE PRINT: Lesson Fee is payable directly to the teacher 1 month in advance. Cancellations less than 2 days before your scheduled class cannot be refunded.



A satisfied student		 OUR ALL-STAR TEAM OF TEACHERS:

We've assembled the best team of drum set instructors and hand drum/percussion instructors that we could imagine--specializing in teaching beginners, budding high school players, as well as experienced players wanting to learn some new tricks in the realms of Rock, Jazz, Funk, Latin, Afro-cuban, Brazilian, and more. Currently, our All-Star Team of teachers includes:

  • Israel Annoh (Drumset/Congas)--Contact: (503-253-0156)
    Born in Ghana, West Africa, Annoh's own style comes from jazz greats, such as Max Roach, Cosy Cole, & Elvin Jones. In addition to jazz, Annoh is a specialist in percussion and congas. He's played at the BBC studios in London, traveled through Africa, Europe, and the US. He's played with Highlife pioneer, E.T. Mensah, Obo Addy, and the Ghana Broadcasting Orchestra. Currently, he drums for Michael Allan Harrison. Visit our YouTube Channel and check out Israel Annoh playing a Samba. Go to: Israel Annoh Playing Samba.

  • James Travers (Drumset/Timbales)--Contact: (503-784-2819) or EMAIL him
    James Travers has studied and taught drums for over 15 years. His specialties include Timba, Salsa, Funk, and Reggae. He has been in many of Portland's top bands such as; Agua Miel, Rubberneck, Black Angel, Linda Hornbuckle, Bobby Torres, and African Kings. James regularly travels to Cuba and is Portland's specialist in contemporary Afro-Cuban drumset--timbale applications. His teachers include Giraldo Piloto, Eduardo Velasquez, Jose Sanchez, & Ludwig Nunez, among others.

  • Reinhardt Melz (Drumset/Timbales)--Contact: (503-786-6972)
    18 years as a freelance Drummer/Percussionist, Reinhardt specializes in a myriad of eclectic styles. Past and current artists he has worked with include, Tony Furtado, Reggie Houston, Curtis Salgado, Randy Porter, Bill Beach, Lloyd Jones, Triclops, Ramsey y Los Montunos, and the Bobby Torres Ensemble.

  • Caton Lyles (Djembe/Congas)--Contact: (503-757-5350)
    A veteran percussionist of the Pacific Northwest music scene, Caton has performed with Northwest Afrikan-American Ballet, Dennis Springer Quintet, Andre Kitaev, Reparations, The Gary Small Band, Hundgry Mob, Island Breeze, Steel Jammin', and Curare. Also a sideman with legends H.B. Barnham and The Supremes, featuring Mary Wilson. He offers several weekly ongoing classes at our shop.

  • Derek Reith (Congas/Brazilian Percussion)--Contact: (503-819-3339)
    Derek has been studying Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Percussion for over 10 years with Masters in these traditions. He currently plays with Portland-based ensembles, Pink Martini, The Lions of Batucada, Omo Ire, Black Angel, and Substrat.

  • The Lions of Batucada (Brazilian Percussion)--Contact: Brian Davis (503-797-4494, home, or 503-381-7912, cell)
    Portland's forty-some member performing samba escola. This weekly ongoing class is taught by various members of this group. Learn how to play the various samba instruments of the Batucada. For more information on the Lions, check out their web site, www.lionsofbatucada.com.

  • Bobby Torres--Contact: (503-224-9314)
    Bobby Torres has been performing and teaching drumming for over 40 years. From NYC to Woodstock with Joe Cocker, 10 years of touring with Tom Jones, to forming his own Latin Jazz group here in Portland, OR...Bobby Torres is a record producer, songwriter, percussion instructor, session musician and band leader. Check out his web site for more about him! www.bobbytorres.com.


(New Students should contact the teacher directly for openings and will generally study with their teacher 1/2 hour each week, unless arranged otherwise. Lesson fee is payable directly to the teacher 1 month in advance. Cancellations less than 2 days before your scheduled lesson cannot be refunded.)

FREE first lesson with purchase of any drum set, Djembe, Conga or Brazilian Percussion!

DRUM RENTAL? We rent a 5-piece drum set with cymbals for $40.00 a month. After 12 months of renting a set, it is yours to keep! If you prefer, we also have trade-up options, so you can apply a portion of your rental fee to an even better set. Call to check availability.

For more information about our classes, call Rhythm Traders at 503-288-6950 or email sarge@rhythmtraders.com.


NEW ONGOING CLASSES IN AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE:
Sekou Soumah is teaching West African Dance and Djembe classes in Portland! Sekou studies with both Mamady Keita and Moustapha Bangoura and is now a certified Tam Tam Mandingue Professor. Congrats, Sekou! Dance Classes are ongoing and year-round. The Intermediate djembe class is held at Center Space, on Thursdays. Contact Sekou for the latest info. The cost is $20.00 per class. The dance class is taught at Dishman Community Center. Live drumming accompanies the dancers in all dance classes.
Questions? Call Sekou at: (503) 679-7858 or email him at sekouba20@yahoo.com

WEEKLY CLASSES:
CLASS: DAY: TIME: LEVEL: LOCATION:
Dance Tuesdays 7:30pm-9:00 pm All Levels: Drop-in Dishman Community Center
77 NE Knott
Portland, OR
(503) 823-3673
NEW!!
Intermediate Djembe		 Thursdays 7:45pm-9:15 pm Intermediate
$150.00 for 10 week series or $20.00 drop in fee		 Center Space
420 SE 6th Ave
Portland, OR


FAMOUDOU KONATE 2008 WORKSHOP!!
We have begun registration for our Famoudou Konate Workshop 2008. Portland, Oregon will be his ONLY West Coast workshop this year. Sign up EARLY! You'll find all the details at: FAMOUDOU KONATE 2008 INFO

WORKSHOP PHOTOS!
We have great photos from our previous workshops...check them out at our: PHOTO GALLERY.


WORKSHOPS AROUND THE STATES AND INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS:
Below you'll find a listing of some interesting workshops around the world with fantastic teachers. If you can take advantage of any of these culturally rich experiences, your understanding of drumming, as well as your technique, will greatly improve. If they come to your area, don't miss the opportunity to study with them!!


Great Workshops Coming Soon!

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