about drummergirl & drumming
'Well, that's the most fun I've had with a goat!' Jude, casual workshop participant who was playing a djembe with a particularly fragrant drum (goat) skin.
our philosophy
The drummergirl philosophy is based on 3 principles:
community - we believe that group drumming can connect people in a unique way, through non-competitive music making, or creative group action.
integrity - we are comittted to preserving the tradition of West African drumming and culture. The djembe has become an international instrument and in the process has tended to be taken up by many teachers and practitioners who don't necessarily understand or respect its origin. Renowned Grand Master Drummer Mamady Keita explains:
The djembe is not a primitive instrument on which one beats in just any way. There is a history behind it, a tradition that is transmitted from generation to generation... It is played by very specific ethnic groups and individuals... It is played on special occasions... It has a specific importance within Mande [West African ethnic group] society, an immutable symbolism... All the rhythms have names, a history transmitted from generation to generation, and it is necessary to know them.
(Mamady Keita, for more see www.mamadykeita.com).
We respect this notion and we respect the generations of West Africans who have created and shared their music. All Drummergirl facilitators are committed to preserving the integrity of this music by continuing to further their education and develop their craft to a high level.
joy - we aim to make drumming, learning, teaching, sharing and viewing workshops and performances joyful for participants and audiences. We believe in creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment in which we honour each student's individual ability and inspiration or reason for drumming, whatever that may be!
drummergirl facilitators
Drummergirl employs numerous professional drummers, percussionists and artists from Melbourne and surrounds and is led by Simone Lang and Jacqueline Gawler.
Simone Lang - founder & director
Simone Lang is the Founder & Director of drummergirl and has been sudying West African drumming and percussion for over 15yrs. She has studied with some of West Africa's finest exponents of the tradition including Mohamed 'Bangourake' Bangoura, Lamine 'Lopez' Soumah of Percussion de Guinee and Mamady Keita.
Over the past 10 years Simone has travelled to the countries of Guinea, Senegal and The Gambia to study and absorb West African drumming and culture.
As a facilitator and instructor, Simone is renowned for her charismatic approach and she imparts her knowledge of West African drumming and culture with integrity and joy.
Jacqueline Gawler - drummer/percussionist
Jacqueline is a trained dun-dun player, and is well-known for her work as a Jazz and A Capella singer/composer. Jacqueline has travelled to The Gambia and Senegal in West Africa tofor intensive study of Malinke drumming and culture.
Jacqueline is a singer/percussionist/composer with internationally award-winning vocal/percussion group Coco's Lunch with whom she has composed and recorded five acclaimed albums. She has toured around the world for the past 12 years with Coco's Lunch and currently performs as a freelance Jazz vocalist with ensembles including Stoneflower and The Jacqueline Gawler Band.
testimonials
'Drummergirl provided a 1 hour drumming workshop at our senior management retreat. The team had been labouring over serious business issues all morning and the drumming was a fantastic refresher! Simone has a great gift with groups - she encourages the under-confident members and progressively takes you through basic rhythmic exercises until suddenly you realise you are putting on a real live performance. You concentrate, laugh, help each other.......all the attributes we need to develop in our teams. Congratulations Drummergirl - a great activity for team building, relaxation or just pure fun!'
Steve Gawler, CEO, Frankston City Council
'Having drummed with other teachers, how refreshing to have finally found Drummergirl! A drumming teacher who teaches from the heart as Drumming should be. Don't waste time looking around, book in with Drummergirl for a heart-lifting night of fun and inspiration.'
Carole Peutrill, Advanced Student
'Simone's teaching style makes drumming accessible to anyone - regardless of age, ability or talent and her enthusiasm is truly contagious. Not to mention - Simone's encouragement for all her students never waivers. It's such fun.'
Fiona Dixon, beginner course participant
'The vibe was great amongst the other participants and I found Simone to be a great teacher who genuinely enjoyed helping people learn.'
Kim Vassallo, 10-week course participant
'Is the goat dead when you kill it?' School workshop participant in response to a description of the drum-making process.
past & present drummergirl clients
Some of our past and present clients include:
Melbourne Water
Yooralla
Merri Creek Primary
Scaffidi Hugh Jones
Frankston City Council
Berry Street
Bayside City Council
Thomas Carr College
Gellibrand Services
Melbourne City Council
VicRoads
Healesville Primary School
Kilvington Girls Grammar
Moorabool Shire
Mount Waverly Primary School
FBI Travel
Stonnington Child Care Centre
Royal Melbourne Hospital Child Care Centre
Vicserv
Darley Primary School
The Drum African Family Centre
William Angliss
Melton Shire
Bialik College
Renegade Productions
Berry Street
Bacchus Marsh Primary
about drumming
'No matter what you are feeling, drumming can change your overall general state. For most people it can energise them if they are low in energy or relax them if they are anxious. Hand drumming realigns us and brings us into balance. It is a grounding tool - one of the most ancient and effective methods for getting us into our bodies and into the present moment. Drumming has immense potential for personal transformation and as an effective tool for working on group dynamics. Aside from all this, it brings in joy - a place we all want to be!'
Simone Lang, drummergirl Director & Founder.
Much research into the positive effects of drumming on participants has surfaced in recent years. This includes reduced stress, anxiety levels and depression, increased confidence, coordination and overall wellbeing. Here are some links to articles about the research into the health benefits of drumming:
NAMM Foundation: Beating The Odds: New Research Shows How Group Drumming Can Help to Build Social and Emotional Skills
BBC: Can our natural rhythm heal us?
Living Rhythms: Documented Medical Benefits of Drumming
Remo Biological Benefits of Drumming
If you want to find out more about Mande culture wikipedia is quite accurate.