A chance to gather and learn from some of NZ’s top drum and dance teachers over a weekend full of high energy rhythm, music and celebration.

Join us and share the wonderful spirit, music and culture of West Africa in our exciting weekend NZ Drum & Dance Camp.

Our well known African Drumming culture enthusiast and teacher Nathan Bregmen is back and joined this year by African Drumming Master Yaw Asamudu, African Drum and Dance teaching specialist Robert ‘Koffie’ Fugah and NZ’s very own drumming legend Jimi Dale.

This year we are once again all about community and bringing everyone together as one big tribe through our love of rhythm...You can also get excited about:
-Djembe and Dunun classes for all levels with beginner, intermediate, and advanced drum classes every day.
-High energy dance classes with renowned dancer, Robert Koffie
-BIG communal Saturday night African Dinner
(book early for this $10)
-All in Jams and spontaneous melodic infusions
-Serene Waikato location surrounded by lush rolling hills.

With multiple teachers and multiple learning groups, this camp will cater to drummers of all levels, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of their time with our fantastic line up of teachers.

Nathan has been playing drums for over 25 years and studied African drumming for over 10 years. Nathan has developed a reputation for delivering classes in a way that is community oriented, accessible, and fun. Captured by the ability of African drumming to build community and bring people together playing music in a short space of time, the African Drum has quickly become Nathan's instrument of choice. His light hearted but attentive teaching style has quickly made him a favourite with many students around the country.

Born In Ghana Africa, Yaw has lived, breathed and studied African Drumming and music his whole life. He was a member of the Pan-African Orchestra for over 10 years and has performed all over the world in both traditional and fusion groups collaborating with people such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Francis Fuster, Andy Summers and Oren Marshall along the way. Before moving to New Zealand, Yaw has taught classes in London for almost 20 years, and now we are lucky to have him here, creating this exciting opportunity to study with a master of his craft.

Koffie Fugah grew up in the village of Abor in the Volta Region of Ghana where traditional music and dance is part of daily life. He has taught and performed African drumming and dance for over 15 years both in Ghana and abroad. Koffie is now based in Dunedin and shares his passion and joy for African music all over NZ. Koffie’s high energy drum and dance classes will have you grooving and feeling good in a very short amount of time and are not to be missed.

Jimi has been teaching African Drum and Dance classes in Auckland and around NZ since 1995 and was one of NZ’s first African music enthusiasts. Recently his passion has been working with the part that melody has to play together with rhythm. He also loves being creative with singing, drums, dance and stories. You may have seen Jimi performing as part of his band Tamani, a world music and dance group he put together who have performed at many events all over NZ. Jimi loves the way African Drumming can bring people together, and how a simple groove and song can get people dancing.

VENUE:
Narrows Park Christian Camp, 442 Airport Rd, Hamilton

RATES
Adult rate $270
Early Bird $240 (before 29 August 2020)
Kids 15 and under $80
Drum Hire $10
Optional Linen Hire $20
Sat night Communal African dinner cooked by Yaw $10
(book early)
Price includes accommodation - BYO sleeping bag & pillow
Aside from Saturday night communal meal price does not include food

PROPOSED SCHEDULE

Friday 29 October
5:00pm - 7:00 - Arrive and settle in. Meet and greet.
7:00 - 9:00 - Introductions and “all in” workshop.
9:00 onwards: Jam & Chill time.

Saturday 30 October
10:00 - 12:30 - Group breakaway sessions - Drumming
12:30 - 2:00 - Lunch
2:00 - 3:15 - All in DunDun Workshop
3:30 - 5:00 - Group breakaway - Drumming
5:30 - 6:30 - African Dance
6:30 - 7:30 - Communal African style dinner prepared by Yaw
8:00 onwards - An opportunity to share your talents at our highly anticipated variety show followed by teachers performance. Or weather dependant jams around the bonfire.

Sunday 31 October
9:30 - 11:15 - Break away groups - Drumming
11:15 - 12:15 - African dance
12:15 - 1:15 - Lunch
1:15 - 2:15 - Break away groups - Drumming
2:30 - 3:00 - Final group performance of rhythms we have learnt over the weekend.
3:00 - 5:00 - Pack up and depart.

FAQ's
What should I bring?
A drum if you have one – if not you can hire one for $10
BYO food/drinks (Venue has a large commercial kitchen) |
*Except for Sat night communal dinner if you choose to join us.
Shoes to dance in
Sleeping bag or bedding and pillow, or hire linen for the weekend for an additional $20
Warm clothes
I’m an absolute beginner, can I come along?
Sure! We welcome beginners and our sessions will suit you. It’s a great chance to mingle with those who have been drumming longer and pick up tips and tricks from peers

For more info contact:
Nathan Bregmen
info@africandrumming.co.nz
ph: 021 156 7712