Starting mid November, Dubai Drums offers a series of drumming courses through Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC) at Mall of the Emirates.
“Drumming is a marvellous way to express yourself,” said Julie-ann Odell, who started the African djembe drum movement in Dubai 3 years ago with the conception of Dubai Drums to offer corporate team building and regular community drum circles. “It’s so easy, anyone can learn to hand drum. if you have a heartbeat you have rhythm! – and rhythm is where all music starts!”
Atsu Joseph, a master drummer from Ghana, who is part of the Dubai Drums team, will be teaching beginners, intermediate and advanced African djembe drum classes on Wednesday evenings. With his tips and tricks, Dubai will be set to welcome a brand new group of “die-hard drummers” and “drumming divas”.
“People with no previous musical abilities can develop self-confidence and self-esteem through drumming,” says Julie-ann. “The great thing is that drumming transcends all boundaries, and everyone becomes equal – all speaking through the language of rhythm. It’s perfect for Dubai where so many cultures all co-exist and share the same space.”
Also on offer will be Empowerment Drumming for Women. This six-week Monday morning class will leave women laughing, relaxed, energized and filled with a sense of well-being. Perfect after the children have been dropped off to school and the morning coffee socials are over. Women can get in touch with their inner rhythms and the holistic, healing side of drumming which has been medically proven.
About Dubai Drums: First Company in the Middle East to offer corporate team building using the African hand drum as a tool. First to introduce the African djembe drum to the UAE community. First to bring a master drummer from Africa to live in Dubai. Julie-ann Odell, founder, commonly known around town as The Drum Lady also created Drums of the World. who had their debut at the Dubai International Jazz Festival earlier this year..
About Atsu Joseph: Atsu Dagadu is an experienced drummer, musician and teacher from Ghana. He began at a very young age and was part of the Ghana National Youth Dance Company (part of the Ghana National Theatre), which performs traditional and contemporary dance and drumming. Atsu has performed for many dignitaries including Bill Clinton, Queen Elizabeth, Nigerian President Abacha and other African statesmen.
He is a master player and teacher of the traditional Ghanaian drum called the kpanlogo the African djembe drum and a variety of other traditional African instruments. He is from the Ewe tribe and hails from the traditional village of Akgorpor in the Volta region of Ghana where his father is village chief. Ewe can trace male ancestors to their original villages and make their territorial divisions along those lines. The Ewe people are reputable for great drumming. They believe that if someone is a good drummer it is their destiny to drum.
About Drums of the World: A group formed by Julie-ann in December 2005.
The group consists of 15-25 members that all live in Dubai and have day jobs but unite through their passion of rhythm and music. The members come from England, Scotland, Ireland, Ghana, India, Morocco, South Africa, Switzerland, Senegal, Pakistan, Iran, Kenya, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Philippines, Malaysia and United Arab Emirates.
The group’s vast sound draws from exotic cultures such as Africa, Arabia, India and Morocco in an exciting and innovate musical program that goes straight to the heart.
