TRADITIONAL WEST AFRICAN DRUM WORKSHOP

Live Drumming & West African Rhythm

Our Workshops

Our percussion workshops help participants learn basic and complex rhythmic patterns, develop listening skills and explore polyrhythms from Ghana and Guinea.

Traditional West African Drum Workshops

Facilitators introduce a range of West African percussion instruments, exploring their materials, history, cultural context, and rhythmic patterns.

Participants learn rhythms through hand techniques before applying them to each instrument, alongside traditional songs that demonstrate the call-and-response foundations of West African music.

INCLUDES

Brief introduction to the instruments and their cultural significance

Call-and-response rhythm exercises

Learning and practicing foundational rhythmic patterns on the instruments

Q&A (time permitting)

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See our dance workshops

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See our dance workshops •

Book a dance workshop here

Our workshops focus on…

1.

LEARNING BASIC & COMPLEX RHYTHMIC PATTERNS

Participants are guided through foundational and advanced rhythms, building coordination, timing, and confidence through hands-on practice.

2.

DISCUSSION ON THE USE OF POLYRYTHMS IN WEST AFRICAN CULTURAL TRADITIONS

Participants learn how polyrhythms function within West African cultural traditions as a form of communication, storytelling, and community expression.

3.

EXPLORATION OF THE CONCEPT OF POLYRHYTHMS

Our workshop explores how multiple rhythms interact and layer together, deepening understanding of musical structure and collective timing.

Our instruments

Loving, Kind Words

  • “Zahra has an infectious spirit that shines through the moment you see her. She made me feel so seen and comfortable during my online session with her.”

    Student, Israa

  • “Zahra was wonderful! Students loved her and my colleagues also spoke very highly of her. Her energy was perfect.”

    Our lady of Peace

  • “Zahra was great. Her energy is infectious and the students loved her. It was also great to have the workshops in French.”

    M.S. General Crerar

  • “The students were so in awe of the ZahraMoves team. THey engaged the students with their energy and knowledge. After 3 weeks, they were able to prepare a beautiful presentation with the students for our annual recital. The school and the parents loved it. Days later after their recital, the students are still singing the songs, and playing the rhythms they learned. ZahraMoves has made a lasting effect on our students that they are already making demands to have her team come back next school year.”

    St-John Vianney

  • “Zahra led a superb Dancehall session from start to finish today. She possesses a strong ability to relate with children and has solid classroom management skills. At the start of the session she explained how Dancehall dancing began and how it has evolved. At the end Zahra led an excellent question and answer period.The students had such a great time learning how to dance from Zahra that they asked if she could return and lead more lessons. “

    G.C - Rosedale High

  • “Another successful lesson down. Zahra was so great with the students...she engaged all of them, even those hiding in the back. They enjoyed the little bit of history behind the dance and where it originated so they are actually able to connect with it. It was just a great experience over all. “

    Presteign Heights

  • “We loved Zahra. She is so knowledgeable and professional. Her gym was so hot and she never changed her energy. We learned so much from her and the kids loved seeing her. They were asking for her autograph, telling her how much they admire her, and I cannot say enough about our time with her.”

    C.M. Agnes Taylor

Get in contact with us

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Get in contact with us •

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • We provide workshops that focus on cultural education, dance technique, diversity awareness and personal expression. Overall, these workshops are designed to be both educational and expressive, building cultural appreciation while strengthening participants’ movement skills and confidence.

  • ZahraMoves workshops are good for educational settings, cultural engagements, community programming, and anyone who wants to learn Afro‑diasporic dance and rhythm with context and meaning.

  • Workshop length varies depending on your needs, the setting, and goals. For schools, sessions are designed to fit within standard class periods. Drumming workshops require a minimum of 45 minutes to allow time for instrument setup and meaningful participation.

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