Explore Drumming Traditions from Around the World
Thursdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
The Global Beats program is an opportunity to connect with the rich history and culture of various musical traditions from around the globe. Through call and response, language, repetition and layers, students at any level, from beginner to advanced, receive guidance from masters of the tradition. No prior experience in music is required, just a willingness to listen, have fun and join in.
Fall 2025: West African Drumming with Amos Gabia
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30–8:30 PM
Faculty: Amos Gabia
In this class, students learn traditional West African repertoire on the Djembe, Dun Dun and accompanying percussive instruments. They practice basic hand rhythms, drum etiquette, technique, form, style and improvisation. Through song, dance and storytelling they learn about the culture from various regions of Ghana and beyond.
Amos Kwaku Gabia is a professional musician from Ghana, West Africa. At an early age he was introduced to music and started performing with the Noko Yedzen group. Amos plays a variety of instruments including the djembe, dun dun, kpanlogo, flute, and Asalato. Amos is a founding member of Saha, Ekome Feemo and performed with the award winning Salaka Ensemble. While still living in Ghana, he led programs for groups of travelers from around the world interested in learning about West African culture through its music and dance. Amos recently spent some time back in his homeland working with students and educators while learning from the masters. This was a very special trip for him and he’s looking forward to sharing his experiences with you.
How to Register
- If you are new to BKCM, click here to create a Registration account.
- Click here to fill out the Student & Family Survey.
- Visit this link to complete your registration online!
If you have questions, please call 718-622-3300 to speak to one of our registrars who will guide you through the process. Financial aid is available for qualifying students. To apply please contact kris.mandapat@bkcm.org and fill out the financial aid application.
For complete information on BKCM’s registration process and policies, please click here.
More Global Beats Classes
Term: TBD (Not available this semester)
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Faculty: Nezih Antakli
Explore the world of Middle Eastern drumming with master percussionist Nezih Antakli. Through call and response, language, repetition and layers, students will connect with the rich history and culture of various musical drumming traditions associated with the Middle East, including countries throughout the Arabian peninsula. Students will also learn about Arabic influenced music traditions that have spread as far as North Africa, Turkey and the Balkans.
BKCM supplies the percussion instruments for this class, which culminates in a performance. Students will play and perform on a variety of Middle Eastern drums such as the darbuka (doumbek), the riq and a variety of frame drums. Nezih will instruct students on proper playing position, produce a great sound, and how to connect these rhythms to language. Students will learn typical soloing phrases, embellishments and ornamentations related to Middle Eastern drumming styles. Throughout the course, students will meet a variety of special guests on melodic instruments associated with music from throughout the Middle East.
Term: TBD (Not available this semester)
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Faculty: Agustin Grasso
Ritmos Latinoamericanos is a percussion journey through a variety of South American countries, including Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia, Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay. This class is for all levels and for anyone who wants to explore the rhythms, styles and instruments of these countries and broaden their understanding of the term “Latin American.”
Agustin Grasso, a native of Argentina, leads this class in a fun, jam-style setting. A variety of guests (both instrumentalists and singers) native from each country, will join the class, helping students to dive deeper into the traditions of each region.
Each class begins with a warmup covering basic percussion technique. Students then focus on the “rhythm of the day” which they learn by following Agustin. Once students are comfortable, they begin to layer various parts together to make a full percussion ensemble. Students will also listen to recorded source material and learn language and historical context that connects to the music’s origins. Agustin uses language as a tool to show how these rhythms from various regions are connected to each other. At the end of the semester, students will participate in a jam, sharing what they’ve learned.
Term: TBD (Not available this semester)
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Faculty: David Bertrand
Lagniappe (lanny-app) in French Creole means “getting more than what you paid for” and this class will provide a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Calypso. Students will explore the grooves and styles of Calypso focusing on a 30 year period from the 1950’s to the 1980’s with an examination of its history and the elements that have shaped it stylistically over generations. Students will perform Trinidadian rhythms that are the foundation for different iterations of calypso along with a guided group listening to various calypsos of different eras.
Students will learn and perform on drums and other instruments transcribed compositions of iconic calypsonians including The Roaring Lion, Lord Kitchener, with the original lyrics and arrangements from the records. By exploring this music through listening and performance, the class will get to experience this rich aspect of Trinidadian culture as what it has always been: an expression of wit, protest, dignity and joyful affirmation.
This class is open to students at any level. Students with no prior experience will play on percussion instruments, and gain skills in keeping rhythm and time. Students who play instruments are encouraged to play whatever instrument they feel most comfortable with. If you have any questions about this class, send an email to cmsadmin@bkcm.org.
Take a listen! Here are some examples of Calypso styles:
Trinidad, The Land of Calypso by The Roaring Lion
Rain-O-Rama by Lord Kitchener
Lorainne by Explainer