Dance 134 - Dance and Drumming

This course bridges two critical components in dance training: movement and rhythm. The course takes inspiration from traditions that conceive drumming and dancing as inseparable companions in the dance making process. In these traditions, such as many West African societies, the well-trained performer, no matter where they lean in their mode of expression, is expected to have a depth of knowledge in both areas. Throughout the semester, students will be introduced to different dance-drumming traditions. For each dance piece, students will learn the movements as well all the supporting drum parts and an introduction to the fundamentals of the lead drum.