ABOUT us
We have been promoting the music and cultures of Africa for over 20 years. Explore West African music and cultures with our unique products and services:
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Schools and educational institutions: Expose students to Africa's vast traditions and cultures through year-round, fun, and engaging live or virtual school music workshops and presentations.
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Corporate Team Building: Bond your team at work, offsite, or virtually via video conference with fun and challenging drumming activities.
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Private Events: Make your event memorable by enhancing a wedding, fundraiser, or special celebration with an authentic, interactive live or virtual performance.
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Weekly Classes: Experience something new and discover West Africa's traditional music with our fun and informative weekly classes.
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Artist Management: Support your career or event with our professional artist management services for African artists.
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Authentic Musical Instruments: Discover and purchase professional, authentic West African musical instruments.
 Virtual performanceBook a virtual performance |
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 Wedding performanceBook a wedding performance |
 African drumming workshopBook a workshop |
 Live PerformanceBook a live performance |
 School Assembly performanceBook a school assembly |
 Authentic African musical instrumentsOrder a musical instrument |
 Summer festival performanceBook a festival performance |
 Weekly drumming classJoin the Toronto percussion school |
 PresentationBook a presentation |
 Private party performanceBook a private party |
 Fashion show performanceBook a fashion show |
 Dance workshop - Live drummingBook a dance workshop |
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
“Amazing event! The workshop and the performance by professional drummers definitely kept our group of 25 people engaged for the afternoon! Would definitely recommend this for large or small groups looking for something unique and fun!”
— Yvonne, Toronto Canada
DRUMMING
CLASSES & LESSONS
Get started playing on one of the world's most famous hand drums: The Djembe!
Join our percussion school, and practice weekly in our drumming classes.
No prior music experience is required. We have beginner, intermediate, and advanced players in our group.
If you have played in a drum circle, you will appreciate joining our music school and getting instruction to improve your playing technique.
Drumming classDrumming class |
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 Drum classDrum class |
 Djembe drumming classesDjembe drumming classes |
Join the best drumming class in the city!
Every week, we welcome new students to our Toronto Tuesday 7:00 PM adult class.
Our location: Dundas St. W. and Jane St. (The Junction)
Price: $20 drop-in for a 1.5-hour class (Exact cash change only – no registration required).
Everyone from 14 to 99 years old is welcome!
Free Djembe drum use – you must reserve it in advance.
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A free private introductory lesson with the pre-purchase of your first package deal or gift card:
UP TO 35% OFF
Package of 6 classes in Toronto $90 ($120 value)
Package of 9 classes in Toronto $130 ($180 value)
Package of 12 classes in Toronto $170 ($240 value)
Package of 15 classes in Toronto $200 ($300 value)
Package of 18 classes in Toronto $235 ($360 value)​
We also have private, in-person drum lessons
Drumming curriculum
These fun drumming classes and lessons, based in Toronto, Canada, are focused on Guinean rhythms and traditions. Alpha developed a detailed course with online play-along sound files, notation, and videos for home practice between classes. A list of all the rhythms (piece of music) played in classes, together with their origins and meanings, is also posted.
Just like learning to play other percussion instruments, learning to play the djembe requires instruction!​
Check out our drumming blog. Some of the main articles posted are: "The many benefits of Djembe drumming," "Why you will never learn how to play the Djembe in a drum circle," "Traditional Guinean percussion orchestra playing basic," "Learning how to play the Djembe drum," and more.
This is what you will get in the "Alpha Rhythm Roots" drumming class:
- Over 20 years of teaching experience.
- Alpha developed his own "Mandé rhythms" teaching method.
- The option to learn how to play Dununs (traditional and upright) in all classes.
- Detailed Djembe hand techniques.
- Rhythms taught in relation to their associated Bala melodies.
- Videos of Djembe patterns available after each class for review (conditions apply).
- Discounted packages with no expiration date and a free private lesson included.
- Free Djembe use in all classes, all the time!
- Fun social time guaranteed at every class!
Toronto class schedule & location
(No weekly class in July/August)
Click on calendar for class details
Some Benefits of Djembe Drumming
- Relieve daily stress.
- Improve listening skills and develop multitasking abilities.
- Improve concentration and the ability to focus.
- Improve short-term memory.
- Develop confidence.
- Improve left/right-hand coordination and independence.
- Read and write simple percussion notation.
- Communicate without words or gestures.
- Discover the world of improvisation and soloing.
- Learn about Mandingue / Guinean culture and traditions in a fun and friendly environment.
By attending our classes, absolute beginners will be introduced to the world of West African percussion. Professional musicians playing a percussive or non-percussive instrument will experience music in a way that will change them forever. Whether you are a piano or drum kit player, this is your chance to experience a new level of right/left-hand independence and coordination to take your musicianship to the next level.
Teaching method
Alpha's teaching method focuses on developing an intuitive understanding of West African percussive music, and percussive music in general. There is a strong emphasis on synchronization, as well as the basic playing techniques used in a Mandingue drumming ensemble.
His unique exposure to both European/North American and West African pedagogies has allowed him to successfully develop a simple and efficient approach for everyone.
Beyond the group classes, you will also have access to private lessons with Alpha.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY..
About our classes
“Hi Alpha,
I want to let you know that I am really enjoying learning drumming with you. I feel challenged, I have fun and appreciate your patience and teaching style.”
— Terri, Toronto