Latin American Music Workshops @ Smiths Alternative

Join us for an afternoon of rhythm and melody with two engaging music workshops celebrating Latin America’s rich musical traditions — open to a variety of skill levels. Whether you're a percussionist, guitarist, or simply curious, come along and be part of Latin American Week at ANU — a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Limited numbers, registration essential.

🪘 Latin Percussion Workshop : 12pm – 3pm [3 hours]
Discover the sounds of Latin America through hands-on sessions in cajon, Cuban percussion, and samba batucada. Led by Rodrigo Martin, Sinuhe Pacheco, and Rafael Florez, this 3-hour workshop includes instrument instruction, group performance, and a final jam session. If you have a cajon/conga/drum, bring it!

🎸 Peruvian Guitar Workshop : 3pm – 5pm [2 hours]
Led by Peruvian classical guitarist Eduardo Ruiz, this interactive workshop explores the elegant rhythms of the Peruvian Vals (waltz) through strumming patterns, chord progressions, and small ensemble playing. Designed for beginner to intermediate guitarists with basic playing experience. Bring your guitar.

 🎟️ $15 per workshop - Free for ANU Latin American Students Association Members  🎟️

🏫 Both workshops will happen @ Smiths Alternative (Upstairs) 🏫

🎓 All facilitators will offer follow-up workshops and classes later in 2025 – stay tuned! 🎶

🪘 LATIN PERCUSSION INTENSIVE WORKSHOP (12pm to 3pm)

Cajon | Cuban Percussion | Samba Batucada

Join us for a dynamic 3-hour exploration of Latin American percussion, led by three experienced musicians with roots in Afro-Latin and Brazilian rhythms. Whether you're a curious beginner or a seasoned percussionist looking to deepen your knowledge, this hands-on workshop will immerse you in a rich spectrum of musical traditions and instruments. Instruments provided — but bring your own if you have one! (e.g., cajon, conga, bongo, clave, etc.)

Workshop Structure

The session is divided into three focused segments, each facilitated by a guest percussionist and educator. The workshop concludes with an open jam, giving participants the chance to experiment, collaborate, and apply what they’ve learned in a lively, informal group setting.

🔸 Cajon Techniques & Grooves (12pm - 1pm)

with Rodrigo Andrés Martin from RP Percussion
Rodrigo will guide participants through foundational and contemporary cajon rhythms, exploring its use in Latin fusion and flamenco-rooted styles. You’ll learn technique, tone, groove-building, and rhythmic phrasing using this versatile box drum.

🔸 Cuban Percussion: Congas & Clave (1pm - 2pm)

with Sinuhe Pacheco from Cuban Drumming and Percussion

Explore the foundational rhythms of Afro-Cuban music with two essential clave & basic conga patterns. Sinuhe will explore the Son Clave (3-2 or 2-3) - rhythmic backbone for salsa and mambo, and Rumba Clave - the traditional energy of rumba and Latin jazz. Then we'll apply conga technique to play the basic tumbao - the fundamental bass pattern that locks with the clave.

🔸 Brazilian Samba Batucada (2pm - 3pm)

with Rafael Florez from Raio De Sol
Rafael leads this high-energy session focused on group samba percussion. Participants will learn basic samba rhythms, common instruments used in a bateria (drumming ensemble), and how to build a full percussive arrangement. Expect call-and-response, groove immersion, and a joyful crash course in Carnival-style samba.

🎯 What You’ll Gain

• Techniques for three distinct percussion traditions

• Ensemble playing experience

• A deeper appreciation of Latin American rhythm cultures

• Confidence to keep playing, improvising, and participating in future percussion classes and workshops for each style here in Canberra

✨ Suitable for any skill level/experience – just bring your curiosity and your rhythm! Places are limited. Registrations essential.

🎸 Peruvian Waltz for Classical Guitar 🇵🇪 (3pm - 5pm)

Interactive Guitar Workshop with Eduardo Ruiz 

This engaging 2-hour guitar workshop is designed for beginner to intermediate guitarists who  are curious about Latin American rhythms and harmonies. Led by Peruvian classical guitarist and educator Eduardo Ruiz (Peru), this workshop dives into the elegant and expressive world of  the Peruvian Vals (Waltz). Whether you're new to Latin styles or looking to expand your repertoire, this workshop offers  a joyful, creative deep dive into one of Peru's most cherished musical traditions. Places are limited. Registrations essential.

Throughout the session, participants will explore the structure, rhythm, harmony, and  improvisational possibilities within the Peruvian waltz tradition. The workshop is hands-on,  progressive, and accessible to those with basic guitar-playing experience. Materials will be  provided in both standard notation and tablature. 

This course is intended for people who already play the guitar—at a minimum, those who  can play barre chords—and who are interested in learning or improving their knowledge of  the Peruvian waltz. 

The first part of the workshop introduces key tools for interpreting and playing Peruvian valses: 

• Core strumming patterns like Tundente and Periquete 

• Chord shapes and traditional chord progressions  

• Simple arpeggio fingerstyle techniques 

• Easy scales for improvisation 

• Traditional melodies from Peru.  

In the second half, participants will apply these tools by: 

• Playing in small ensembles 

• Alternating between melody and accompaniment 

• Improvising within a structured vals form 

• Performing group renditions of up to five Peruvian waltzes 

🎯 By the end of the session, participants will have developed a deeper understanding of this  unique genre and gained skills they can continue applying beyond the workshop. The workshop concludes with a Q&A and an optional informal group performance.