Bring people together through an accessible and enjoyable West African drumming workshop.
Hartbeats provides participatory drumming workshops for youth organisations, WIs, clubs, societies, charities, community groups, festivals, fêtes and public events. Sessions are adapted to the age, experience and needs of the people taking part.
No previous musical experience is needed. All drums are provided, and group leaders, volunteers and accompanying adults are encouraged to join in.
Scouts, Guides and youth groups
Hartbeats offers lively workshops for Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Brownies and other youth organisations. Participants learn accessible djembe and dundun parts, respond to musical signals and work together to build a complete traditional West African rhythm.
Sessions can also include song, movement, dancing and cultural information. The level and pace are adapted to the age and experience of the group.
WIs, clubs and societies
A drumming workshop provides an unusual, sociable and memorable activity for a WI meeting, club, society or interest group. Complete beginners can take part together, with each person contributing to the final ensemble.
Sessions can include a demonstration, an introduction to the instruments, group drumming, call and response, song and opportunities to ask questions about West African music and Justine’s study visits.
Community groups and charities
Workshops can be adapted for mixed-age and mixed-ability groups, voluntary organisations, charities, wellbeing programmes and community celebrations. The emphasis can be adjusted between musical learning, participation, connection and enjoyment.
Festivals, fêtes and family events
Hartbeats can provide an open participatory workshop for a local festival, fête, family day or public event. Activities can be planned for a particular age group or offered as an inclusive shared experience.
A workshop can be booked on its own or combined with a performance by HARTBEATS Drummers.
A complete West African drumming experience
Sessions usually begin with a short performance on djembe hand drums and dundun bass drums. Participants then explore the instruments and learn how different rhythmic parts fit together.
The dunduns provide the pulse and powerful pitched bass patterns which give the music its distinctive energy. Hartbeats provides traditionally made drums in a range of sizes suitable for children, teenagers and adults.
Experience and locations
Justine Hart founded Hartbeats in 1998 and has more than 28 years of experience teaching West African drumming, dance and song. She works with an experienced team of drummers, dancers and facilitators according to the requirements of the event.
Hartbeats is based near High Wycombe and works throughout Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, London and further afield.
If your type of group is not mentioned here, please ask. Workshops can be adapted for many different organisations and occasions.
