Trevor Salloum

Trevor was a licensed naturopathic physician in Kelowna from 1986-2006. He now pursues music full time in the Okanagan Valley and Vancouver. He has played music professionally for over 35 years and taught drumming for over 30 years. He produces books, CDs and DVDs on percussion for an international publisher. Trevor has also worked in various capacities combining health and drumming (Schools, Colleges, Universities, Boys and Girls Club and a First Nations Centre). In the late 1990's he was a founding member of "The Rhythm Project" which brought Barry Bernstein RMT to Kelowna. Although Trevor primarily teaches specific styles of percussion (Latin, African, Middle Eastern, jazz) he also utilizes these cultural approaches to evoking the healing potential of drumming. See www.trevorsalloum.com.

AFRO-CUBAN DRUMMING: This course will focus on the fundamentals used to create the exciting and exotic sounds in Afro-Cuban percussion.(Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Mozambique, Bolero etc.) The workshop will include an overview of the main instruments and rhythms. Participants will have the opportunity to play these instruments in an ensemble setting.

MIDDLE EASTERN DRUM WORKSHOP: This workshop is for drummers/dancers of all level who would like to gain some experience and knowledge of the Doumbek, Dar and Riq. This course will focus on the rhythms and techniques used in creating the beautiful sounds on these unique instruments. Learn to unlock the mystery of these ancient rhythmic patterns that have intrigued generations since antiquity.

Jim Copeman

Jim Copeman is a world fusion percussionist and a Drum Circle Facilitator. He will be presenting a workshop on the Lapstyle Frame Drum at this years Okanagan Rhythm Fest. Jim came across this style of frame drumming while attending worshops at the 'Tamburi Mundi International Frame Drum Festival' in Goreme Turkey.

There are varied sizes and styles of frame drums that produce many beautiful and excititng rhythms. This playing style was developed by Glen Velez. It is not based on one drum tradition, but is a fusion of several techniques and adapted to this style of drumming.

Lapstyle Frame Drum: This will abe an introductory workshop, where you will learn basic techniques of this style; apply them to some middle eastern rhythms; and learn to to play free style, that is make up your own rhythms. There will be a limit of ten (10) participants for this workshop.

Bobby Bovenzi, BS African Studies, MS Elementary Education

Bobby has been a student and teacher of West African and Arabic drum and dance since 1994. He has the distinct honor of studying and performing with several Master drum and dance teachers, including Khalid Saleem, Clyde Alafiju Morgan, Mamady "Wadaba" Kourouma, Kpani Addy, Famadou Konate', Mamady Keita, Arthur Hull and Youseff Koumbassa. Bobby currently leads the troupes Harambee West African Drum and Dance, as well as The Barefoot Profits Arabic Orchestra and Dance. He has toured Canada, the United States and Japan, performing and teaching. see http://www.nankama.com/Nankama.com/Home.html

West African Drumming: Open to all levels. We will explore a rhythm names Bao that includes 3 dundun drum parts (stick drums), 2 djembe patterns, and a layering in technique cued by a call from the lead djembe. A handout and CD of the rhythm will be available for small donation.

West African dance: The class will be accompanied by live drumming from Nankama West African Drum and Dance troupe. This session will be open to all levels and will get your heart pumping for sure. Please bring water and wear appropriate clothing. All levels welcome.

Lindsay Favell

Lindsay is a wise and skilled Taiko beauty that can dazzle anyone, she makes everyone feel happy. Lindsay looks for the positives in life and tries hard to make the world a better place. Lindsay has been playing Taiko since 2003 with her troupe Yambiko Taiko out of Kelowna. See more on MySpace

Taiko Drumming: Learn the basics styles and technique to create a short drum piece on the various instruments found in Taiko drumming, and by the conclusion of class, be able to perform a short piece. Open to all levels.

Raven Ritcey, B.Ed. M.Ed.

Raven is a teacher, facilitator, and drum circle leader from Kamloops. Raven’s Cree and Scottish ancestors have been calling her to drum for many years! Raven’s quest is to introduce people to drumming, to uplift spirits, invigorate the body and mind, and have people djembe django together! Raven’s passion for sharing the drum has quickly started many new drum circles, an e send drum connection list, access to workshops, lessons, and her traveling to communities to teach drumming. The drum gives you a physical and emotional release and an intellectual work out. The drum connects your mind, body, spirit, and community!

Raven’s love of the drum and kinesthetic teaching strategies makes drumming easy and fun. Raven facilitates “Djembe Django” - a Kamloops Drum Circle, “Young Drum”- youth from School District #73, and UJAMMA a Kamloops Community Drum Circle. Contact: djembedjango@hotmail.com

Drum Circle Ready - Raven Guaranteed! You too can be a drum buddy! This workshop will have you ready to drum at any drum circle and any workshop. Participants will be introduced to: hand and body position, types of drum circles, their role as a drummer in drum settings, universal drum circle rhythms, how to create original rhythms, how to play time keeper, first drum, second drum, accent roles, and how to add vocals and other hand held percussion. Handouts available. Djembes available. All welcome!

J Clark

J Clark is a self taught multi disciplined musical fun seeker. He has been playing and sharing a diverse range of noise making talent since his teens in the eighties as a bass player in his father’s sixties cover band to background percussion for singer songwriters. His lifetime of playing and sharing music continues to grow and evolve. He is currently a happy drum banging member of Penticton’s West African drum and dance group Nankama.

J developed an interest in didgeridoos in 2003 and was quick to blow his new horn. He was instantly captivated by its deeply rooted history, its healing properties and the depth and range of sound that is possible through this soulful wind instrument. J looks forward to sharing a little bit of its magic in this introduction to didgeridoo for beginners workshop.

Dallas Arcand

Dallas Arcand is an Aboriginal entertainer from the Alexander (Kipohtakaw) Plains Indian Cree Nation, located near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He is broadly talented, but best known for his achievements as a hoop dancer, a motivational speaker and a musician.

Arcand has been a World Class Hoop Dancer for 14 years. In 2007, he won 1st prize at the Annual World Championship Hoop Dancing Competition in Arizona, and the right to bear the title of World Champion Hoop Dancer for the second consecutive year. In both 2005 and 2004, he had received second place honors with an impressive showing.

Arcand facilitates workshops for aboriginal people of all ages, speaking on topics that range from self-awareness to personal motivation, to music, to parenting skills