Carmine's Workshops

Folk Songs are for folks like you and me!
Friday 1:30-3:00pm
$35 through 6/21, $40 after
Middle Eastern music does not always have to be so complicated! Learn a bunch of really fun simple songs that work on any instrument including singing! The class will be taught entirely by ear, so it's ok if you do not read music or have very little experience. Sheet music will be provided.

Doumbek Kickstart
Saturday 9:30-11:30am
$45 through 6/21, $50 after
In this workshop combining Carmine's "Baby Beginner" and "Begintermediate" doumbek workshops, you will learn/review the proper hand/finger techniques to produce clean beautiful sounds from your doumbek as well as how to play several traditional Middle Eastern rhythms and how to switch between them. This workshop is perfect for beginners or experienced drummers who want to brush up or clean up their technique.

After getting solid on some common rhythms you'll get into practical rhythm combinations useful for playing songs and making your drum circle more fun. You will also learn how to add fills and embellishments to make your playing more interesting. This workshop is the perfect blend for new and experienced drummers looking to review their basic rhythms and technique.

Learn It! Play It! Perform It!
Saturday 1:30-3:00pm
$45 through 6/21, $50 after
In this workshop, you'll learn the drum part for up to 4 basic Middle Eastern songs. Everyone who takes the class gets to perform one of the songs in the Saturday evening Gala Show. This class is great if you know the basic rhythms. Other types of drums are welcome. Note: There is likely to be a short stage rehearsal shortly after the end of the workshop.

Drummers & Dancers Masterclass (team taught with Wendi Wampler)
Sunday 9:00am-noon
$65 through 6/21, $70 after
In this class we'll start by exploring rhythms from the many corners of the Middle East, and look at some of their associated traditional dance movements. Learn to identify, play and dance to the top 5 to 10 rhythms. 

Following this, we will then cover the classic drum solo structure, different rhythms for different parts and accompanying moves, secrets of musician/dancer communication and more.

This class is perfect for drummers and dancers of any level who want to perform drum solos more and have more fun improvising too!

About Carmine

Carmine is an accomplished instructor, teaching doumbek both nationally and internationally. His students compliment his lively and engaging teaching style and his ability to make complex technique and intricate rhythms easy to learn. Located in New York City, Carmine is a member of several music ensembles including Middle Eastern fusion group "Djinn." Carmine's music has been featured on several CDs and DVDs as well as prime time T.V. shows

About Wendi

Wendi Wampler, AKA Amirah, is a dancer and musician originally from Indiana, currently living in Bend, Oregon. In her over 20 years of belly dancing, Amirah has had the pleasure of teaching and performing all around the Midwest and Oregon. Her experience studying educational research and pedagogy has led to the development of a super nerdy, biomechanic, movement framework driven bellydance curriculum. Amirah’s other passion is playing Middle Eastern and Balkan music on clarinet and doumbek. Amirah was a member of il Troubadore for many years, led the Nomads of Bend, and has been more recently playing with Jeshua Marshall  and the Flood, Alovitiman, and the Bedoiun Spice Orchestra at Oregon Country Fair.