With Dan Johnson
Inspired equally by traditional, ritual drumming practices as by modern approaches to movement, composition and improvisation, Ecstatic Drum Beats workshops are open to everyone.
No prior experience or rhythmic knowledge is necessary.
Sessions emphasise listening, exploration, focus, and play.
Activities promise both fun and challenge for professional, intermediate or beginning musicians; for drummers and non-drummers alike.
EDB is about bringing people together; about being, exploring, and celebrating who we are whilst expanding what music, dance, and performance art can be.
In addition to introducing some simple rhythms and drumming techniques, EDB sessions will include exercises designed to: enhance focus, explore physical endurance and mental discipline, heightened attention, increase awareness, develop trust, foster community, and create new ways of playing drums and percussion.
Previous participants said:
“Don’t be nervous about signing up for this workshop if you’ve never played percussion previously. Within a few minutes of starting it was apparent that the focus of the workshop was ‘Listening’. Everyone listened – to each other, to the multiplicity of instruments, to themselves, to Dan, and Dan to us”
“A warm and generous facilitator, Dan created an active and stimulating space in which to safely experiment with sound and movement, as an individual and as a group participant”
“Being able to beat a bass drum (something I’ve always wanted to do but never had the opportunity) and feel its vibrations in my body is something I’ll remember for a long time”
About Dan:
“Dan is a key figure in Bristol’s, and in the wider UK’s, experimental arts and music community. He has a singular style and is becoming widely known for uniquely focused and intense solo and collaborative performances, which are often site specific in nature. Running through all of his work is a conceptual rigour that draws on interdisciplinary influences from music, experimental performance, theatre and community practice. He is one of the most exciting percussionists working in the field today ” – Al Cameron (The WIRE, The Brunswick Club, Bristol New Music, Interior Motive).
Dan’s past and present collaborators include: EP/64, Run Logan Run, Beth Greenhalgh, Kit Wilmans Fegradoe, Ossia, & Biped.
Dan holds a certificate in Deep Listening from the Centre for Deep Listening at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY, a Post-Grad Certificate in Teaching & Learning, a BA in Professional Musicianship, and is fully DBS checked.
