Vancouver

Mbuyiselo “Munkie” Ncapayi is a skilled drum maker, teacher and performer. He is a patient teacher who will help his students to learn quickly and efficiently. Munkie was born in the township Langa (meaning “Sun”) in Cape Town, South Africa – a Township brimming with talent. He is from the Xhosa tribe and a member of the Ndlovu (Elephant) Clan.

Displaying an innate natural talent for drumming and percussion has put him on the trajectory toward the successful Master Drummer that he is today. Munkie has played for a wide variety of audiences. Not only as a solo performer but also has been part of predominate Dance Companies, Orchestras, Choral, Theatre Productions and World Music Bands which have performed throughout South Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. He is regarded as one of South Africa’s top ethnic drummers and is a revered drum teacher, having perfected the Djembe Drum, Talking Drum, Zimbabwe Master Drums, Zulu Drums, Dun Dun, African Kudu Horn and Flute.

Children with Autism
Munkie has a very successful drumming program for children with Autism and if you would like to book this specialized session and require references please contact Munkie directly at Munkie@drumcafe.com or call 604 874 3786

Vancouver workshops - Munkie@drumcafe.com or call 604 874 3786

Beginners

Never Drummed before and you would like to try it?

Absolute Beginner Djembe class for those with no hand drum experience. Learn basic Djembe playing techniques and simple rhythms. You will be taught to hold a steady rhythm to accompany a master drummer. Some of Munkie’s beginner students have moved effortlessly into Intermediate or Advanced classes in a short time.

Intermediate to Advanced

This workshop is geared towards the more experienced drummer.

You will be taught, different drumming techniques (slaps and speed), how to create solos, and listen to the rhythms set by the group and maintain them.

Group Drumming / Drum Circle

This 1 hour workshop is aimed to challenge all levels of drummers, from the beginner in their ability to support the more experienced drummers to the more seasoned drummer to put their drumming solos to the test. This is a Fun and high energy workshop, Ages 13 and up.

Drums are avaialable for rent or for puchase at all our workshops.

Toronto

Chris O'Neil

Chris O'Neil began his formal percussion studies in Scotland in 1989 under former World Champion Solo Snare drummer Jimmy Feighan.  After returning to Canada Chris toured as a tenor drummer for the Kitchener Kiwanis Kavaliers Drum corps for two years.  He then went on to study percussion at Cambrian College in Sudbury Ontario, finishing his undergrad with honors at the University of British Columbia.  While at University in Vancouver, Chris studied with Salvador Ferreras and played in the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Island Symphony and the contemporary percussion ensemble, 'Four Gallon Drum.'
It was in Vancouver that Chris discovered his passion for West African drumming, playing lead jembe in dance classes for Ivory Coast's, Fana Soro.  Eventually Chris was invited to join Fana's performing group, 'Masabo Culture Company.'  Chris has now lived in Toronto for five years where he plays an integral role as VP of Music for Drum Cafe West.  Chris arranges the music and trains the facilitators for the Drum Cafe in Toronto, Montreal, Texas and California. 

Toronto workshops - 416 856 3173 or chris@drumcafe.com

Chris is offering drumming classes at his studio for all levels of players:

Beginners

Beginners will learn proper technique on the jembe and dun duns, challenged with exercises to do at home and work through some traditional West African rhythms that they will be able to perform together in the class.

Intermediate

Intermediate players will work mainly on traditional West African rhythms, learning to play all the parts, including jembe accompaniment, some solo phrases, kenkeni, sangban and dundunba.

Advanced

Advanced players will be required to play all parts including jembe accompaniment, solo phrases, kenkeni, sangban and dundunba.  We will also work on some arrangements of these rhythms along with unison breaks, arranged by myself as well as others transcribed from popular Master drummers.

For information on class schedule please call Chris at 416 856-3173 or email chris@drumcafe.com

Winnipeg

Jay Stoller

Jay is an African drumming specialist, studying this field over the past 20 years. He holds a B.P.E., B.ED. as well as a Diploma in African Music from the University of Ghana. Living and studying drumming in Ghana for almost 4 years has given him an insightful understanding of African music and culture that he has been sharing this with school students, and adults in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario over he past 9 years.

"He currently performs with African percussion group “Bafana”, the Winnipeg Ghanaian cultural dancers, and is also the musical director and lead drummer for Nafro Dance Productions. He also accompanies dance classes and Winnipeg's School of Contemporary Dancers and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School."

Jay teaches adult group classes a few times throughout the year, operates the corporate team building company Drum Café and has an importing business on the side. You can read more about Jay on his website www.africandrumdrum.com or contact him at jay@drumcafe.ca or call at 204 952 9117

Winnipeg workshops - jay@drumcafe.ca or call at 204 952 9117

Beginners:

For those with no/little drumming experience, but the desire/passion to give the drums a try.

This class introduces students to the West African djembe drum. This drum is very popular with drum students outside of Africa due to the range of tones it is able to produce. The true African djembe drums are hand-carved from a solid piece of wood, hollowed out inside and covered on top with a goat hide.

This session will begin by developing playing technique using the two main sounds on the drum, the bass note and the open note. Through fun and uncomplicated exercises students will also develop a small repertoire of rhythms, experience the art of playing a drum solo, and learn traditional drum piece incorporating the Ghanaian bell (gankogui) and gourd rattle (axatse).

Intermediate to Advanced

For those whose have taken at least one full session of hand drum study and have a solid understanding and technical ability with the bass and open notes. This level will lead students through a further development of ability to improvise on the drums, add more rhythms to the students repertoire and add one or more multipart drum pieces from Ghana.

Drums are available for rent or purchase during the classes.