Drum Dance Cafe
"Excellent, Excellent Classes! Loved the type of instruction - the
talking, then drumming - Very Good!"
J.B. Clev. Hts, OH
"This is the first time I have done a class with Afrika Yetu and I learned a great deal. I acquired different knowledge that I can take home with me and use when I practice. Thank You!"
L.W. Pittsburgh, PA
"I thoroughly enjoyed this session and hope to be back up soon. I'm starting to like coming to Pitt., finally after 20+ years."
M.L. Greensburg, PA
"I enjoyed the session and have spoken with others in my famiy to introduce them to Drumming."
R.S. Greensburg, PA
Congolese Drumming for Beginners-Advanced
You will hear similarities to Congolese drumming all over Central Africa. These styles provided the foundation for Samba, Rumba and other forms with a heavier 4/4 feel. We offer classes for both the more modern Conga drum (beginner, intermediate, advanced) and its ancient relative, the Ngoma (beginner and advanced).
What do skill levels mean?
Beginner: No drumming experience required
Intermediate: Some drumming experience needed
Advanced: Must have professional drumming experience
West African Drumming for Beginners/Advanced
West African rhythms, in this case referring to those from the region from Cape Verde to Benin, are beautifully layered into complex patterns, using instruments such as the Djembe and Dundun drums. We offer classes for Djembe -- the drum with a large head and smaller, conical bottom that is very popular in the U.S. – at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. There is a beginner class for dundun.
What do skill levels mean?
Beginner: No drumming experience required
Intermediate: Some drumming experience needed
Advanced: Must have professional drumming experience
SALAMA
SALAMA is designed with senior citizens in mind, but also works well for people suffering from mental illness. Sessions incorporate a mix of music therapy and physical activity, using rhythm to:
SALAMA has been used by Mercy Behavioral Health, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Persad Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
Corporate Drum Circles
The drum has been a community-building tool for centuries. Everyone works together, equally, to make the rhythm happen, and has a great time doing it!
Top 10 Reasons to Bring Your Team to an Afrika Yetu Drum Circle Session:
10. A chance to express yourselves
9. Everyone collaborates ... just like in a successful business
8. Cultivate friendships with your colleagues
7. Decrease employee turnover; save yourself the cost of training new hires
6. Burn off your stress. Relax.
5. A lighter, more positive atmosphere in the office.
4. Drumming is perfect for improving mind/body coordination
3. Afrika Yetu can accommodate both small and large groups
2. Impress your friends; being a drummer automatically makes you cool
1. Ask anyone who has done it – it’s FUN!
Youth Drumming
Afrika Yetu holds a drumming workshop for children and teenagers (at-risk youth programs are welcome) that explores the drum as an instrument of camaraderie, participation, cooperation and – of course – fun.
The instructors
for the youth drumming workshops understand the importance of drumming as a
community event, and the way it has fit into the fabric of many African
cultures for at least centuries. All drummers fill an important part of the
whole rhythm, and so participants in the workshop can learn the importance
of cooperation and the importance of their individual contribution to the
group.
Sessions can be of differing lengths (minimum 1 hour), and they can also be regular events, depending upon your needs.
The Healing Circle
(music, dance, wellness; all ages)
Explore the drum as a tool of wellness. This class, which integrates dance and drumming and meditation, offers its participants a way to bring rhythm into the body to elicit stress relief and an improved blood flow.
Aerobic African Dance
This aerobics class includes elements of the agility-focused dances of West Africa – more specifically, Sene-Gambia styles that exhibit much hand and foot movement. Try this class for a great cardiovascular workout and great music that you won’t hear at any other gym!
Dance Classes for Families and Adults
(Congolese and Sene-Gambia)
Everyone in the family can have
fun with these dances. Adult classes focus a bit more on the traditional art
of the dances.
Congolese classes highlight ground-based movement; dancers move the torso and belly areas. If you’re looking for a graceful and lower-impact form of dance, try this class.
Sene-Gambia classes involve some agility and athleticism. These dances are wonderful for physical coordination and fitness.
Afro-Cuban Drumming
Afro-Cuban drumming is the rhythm of Latin America. Using instruments such as the conga and cowbell, explore the roots of Jazz, Salsa and Bossa Nova, and their roots in countries such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Trinidad. Africans brought traditional rhythms with them to these countries and others in the region 400 years ago, and each style has developed in its own beautiful way to help shape the music we listen to today.
Contemporary Steelpan
The steelpan, which was created in 1930s in Trinidad using discarded oil drums, is unique and beautiful in its sound. This class will explore the properties of the drum, technique, and the rhythms with which it is often associated; calypso, merengue, soca and reggae.
