Goldie is drawn to African style Djembe drumming because she loves how it brings her immediately into the present moment, stretches her brain, and is tons of fun! She also loves how it creates community as people gather to share rhythm, get in tune with each other, and entrain to the good vibrations.
In Africa, music had an essential role accompanying workers in the fields, community dances and events, during rituals, initiations, marriages, and funerals. In North America and Europe, there has been increasing interest in exploring traditional African music ~ a tradition that, through the quality of sound, has proven to bring joy and promote well-being. Therefore, drum circles (a North American term) have sprung up in a variety of settings and are being applied in ways such as corporate or other team building, recreational music making, wellness programs, education, music therapy, celebrations, spirituality, personal growth, and more.
If interested, please check the Calendar page for upcoming events and/or connect with Goldie through the Contact page.
Goldie believes rhythm is inside us all, starting with our own heart beat. She and her life partner, James, began facilitating drum circles and classes in 2011, and continue to do so. Rhythms are picked up quickly thanks to the use of the traditional African method of teaching through oral culture that has the philosophy “if you can say it, you can play it!”. So true. Goldie, James and their Free Spirit Drummers have fun sharing the joy of the drum through performances in an annual Children’s Festival, a Multi-Cultural Day event, and Fundraisers.
Goldie and her life partner, James, were blessed to meet their friend and mentor, Joan Casorso of Inner Rhythms, in 2010 who enthusiastically introduced them to the world of drumming. Joan is a one-of-a kind, superb teacher and coach.
In 2011, Joan Casorso introduced Goldie and James to Master Drummer, David Thiaw, her friend and mentor. Goldie enjoys working with James, Joan, and David to bring people together to drum and sometimes to dance and drum! Goldie acknowledges the additional blessing and honour to count David a good friend and mentor. David is an individual of immense talent, knowledge and heart. He loves including all who come to drum with him by saying, “this is your culture too” ~ speaking of the African drum language!
The following description of a djembe drum comes from David Thiaw’s book called: African Drum Workshop ~ Volume #1 Intro to Djembe (which comes with practice CD):
Moving to rhythm is definitely nature’s way. The video below is one of Goldie’s favourites showing so vividly how work, play, all parts of life are full of rhythm!
NOTE: Film created by the brothers Thomas Roebers and Floris Leeuwenberg in Baro, Guinee Afrika; dedicated to the people of Baro. Beautiful sound recording and sound design Bjorn Warning. Translator and Rhythm specialist Thomas Bonekamp. With special thanks to the chief: DJembefola: Mansa Camio.