The McKean County Arts Council is happy to present the Rhythmic Explorations World Hand Drumming Workshop by music educators and musicians T.R. McKotch & Ryan Sandberg. The workshop will be held at the McKean County Arts Council office, located at 80 East Corydon Street, on Friday at 6 p.m.
Join McKotch & Sandberg for an afternoon filled with drum & fun. Immerse yourself in the beautiful rhythms of West Africa, Central Africa, Haiti and beyond. Participants will enhance their listening skills, team building skills, rhythmic skills and more through drum & song.
Some of the rhythms explored include Kpanlogo (Ghana), Luba (Congo), Shiko (Nigeria) and many more beautiful rhythms and songs.
McKotch says, “This is an opportunity to participate in a music enrichment program without having to feel like you need to be ‘good’ at drumming.”
T.R. McKotch has toured extensively with the Steve Johnson Band, has played with Rusted Root and Keith Secola, and is the former drummer for Last Stop Willoughby featuring members of the 10,000 Maniacs. Aside from touring and facilitating the Rhythmic Explorations World Hand Drumming workshops, McKotch teaches drums and percussion at Jamestown Community College in Jamestown, NY, currently co-owns and operates The Music Conservatory in Warren & Kane, SoundRhythms Studios School of Music in Jamestown & Fredonia, NY and is a former teaching artist for the Arts Council for Chautauqua County.
T.R. McKotch is featured teaching a Rhythmic Explorations World Hand Drumming class in the PBS Documentary — CHAUTAUQUA: An American Narrative which premiered Jan. 31, 2011. Jim Donovan, formerly of Rusted Root says, “T.R. McKotch is a rare kind of musician who can both play and teach very well. His ability to connect to beginner drummers, both by teaching and
through empowering them are traits that will help his students long after they leave his experiences. TR is someone who truly loves people and wants to see them progress.”
Ryan Sandberg is a current student of McKotch’s now for thirteen years this year currently continuing his studies at Jamestown Community College. Sandberg has also participated in world drumming workshops and studied with master drummers including Kasumu Jamil from Nigeria, Mohamed Diaby from Conakry, Guinea. Sandberg is a founding member of Just Music, LLC which owns and operates The Music Conservatory in Kane, PA as well as the Rhythmic Explorations World Drumming Workshops.
“The McKean County Arts Council was established in 2017 with the mission to promote the arts throughout McKean,” said MCAC Executive director, Nathan Lawyer, “Programs like this are just one way that we hope to help create a richer appreciation for the arts in McKean County.”
This world hand drumming workshop is a 12+ ages event. No experience necessary to participate and some drums provided for those without. To pre-register online visit www.RhythmicExplorations.com/events or call (814) 561-2030. Please pre-register for workshop to ensure your reserved seat and drum if needed. Space is limited.
