Michael O’Shaughnessy
Workshop
In this workshop we will look at some basic techniques of ensemble African drumming and marimba playing. We will then put these together and learn to play at least one traditional Zimbabwean marimba song accompanied by drumming. At the end of the workshop we will play an impromptu concert of what we have learnt as a curtain raiser for one of the Festival’s main concerts.
Artist Bio
Mike O’Shaughnessy first played African drums at a dance camp in Wales 35 years ago! And he first heard African marimba songs in Fremantle in the early 1990s. Entranced by both he has been playing African drum and marimba music since then, playing with Village Vibes Tribal Dance Band and drumming for the Afrotonic Dance Group. He has studied with African and other teachers in Australia, West Africa and the UK. In 2014 he started to study classical percussion at WAAPA and arranged several African music pieces for the Defying Gravity percussion ensemble. He has taught African drumming and marimbas to adults and children for many years. He loves producing ensemble music and his facilitating always aims to be fun for participants. He has also sung with various choirs including The Spooky Men’s Chorale and The Men of The West.
