African Drumming
Jade Forest regards itself, beyond its role as a martial-arts-training and health and wellness facility, as a ‘cultural arts center’. We are, therefore, pleased to host a very special teacher in Mohamed Kalifa Camara, an extraordinary percussionist and teacher of African drumming and dance hailing from the west African country of Guinea.
Mohamed brings to us a tradition rich in traditional African culture and rhythm. Classes are open to all who want to attend. Bring a drum (djembes are preferred) or borrow one for your first class as we usually have an extra drum or two lying about. Mohamed’s class is instructional (meaning this is not a ‘drum circle’), and which also means you’ll drum your hands to a state of passioned frenzy. Lots of fun!
Class meets on Sunday afternoons from 5 - 6:30 pm. During hot summer times we may meet at Nantasket Beach (where crowds gather round to swing their hips and clap us on, even throwing occasional coins), so call ahead if you’re not already on our Contact List. Otherwise we meet right at the school.
Class rates are:
- $15.00 for first trial class, then $90.00 ppd for six weeks (whether you attend or not),
- or $20 if you prefer to pay by the class.
Bio - Mohamed Camara was born in the mountains of Gaouval, into a family known for its traditional African drumming and dancing. His career began in The Gambia where he started his own dancing and drumming group. Mohamed served as lead teacher for Chuck Davis' Art Safari, held every summer in The Gambia, where students from all over the world came to learn about African drum and dance. He is the former artistic director of the African Ballet of Gambia.
Mohamed continues to teach drumming and dancing in schools and universities all over New England. He is an Assistant Professor in the percussion department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, holds private drum classes in his studio in Jamaica Plain, and teaches dance at the Dance Complex in Cambridge. His performance group, The Spirit of Africa, plays for festivals, schools, museums, and at various cultural events and concert halls. He is in charge of the choreography for the West African dance and musical pieces in “The Art of Black Dance and Music”, working in schools to promote a multicultural program rich in African, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, and African-American culture. Mohamed played for the World Trade Organization in Singapore in December, 1997, and was given the Commonwealth Award by Governor Weld for fostering cultural education in the state of Massachusetts.
Join us for a FUN time drumming.