Our drumming classes are taught by instructor Scott Parker Mast. Scott has been teaching and performing African rhythms of Cuba and Zimbabwe professionally since 1997. Scott’s study of rhythms of Zimbabwe began with several years in Albuquerque New Mexico, culminating with a three-month visit to Zimbabwe. Scott has also studied in Puerto Rico and Cuba and is a long-running member of local Afro-Cuban ensemble, Bamboche.
Scott has also taught drumming at New Vista High School, September School, Eagle Rock School, Estes Park High School, Willow Creek Elementary School, and Uni-Hill Elementary School, as well as at Camp Tumbuka and Zimfest.
Scott was Kutandara’s first drum set player and is featured on our album “Ndotamba nani?” Scott also traveled with Kutandara in 2000 and 2001 to perform at the Zimbabwean Music Festival. Scott holds a B.A. in Psychology from Naropa University. For more information about Scott, visit his website spmast.com.
Rhythms of Zimbabwean with Scott Parker Mast
Introductory Adults + Teens
Monday 6:30-8 pm
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In this class, all levels are welcome, including adults and teens. We will begin with a brief discussion and practice of making the 3 basic sounds of the drum: slap, tone, and bass. Then we will jump right into playing traditional rhythms of Zimbabwe, as Scott learned at Chris Berry’s Blue Tribe School, as well as in Zimbabwe. We will learn first and second accompaniments, as well as breaks and bell patterns, and some root lead parts. The cultural context will also be discussed. Scott welcomes and encourages the use of smartphones to make audio and/or video recordings of class in order to have a reference point for practicing in between classes.
2024 Winter/Spring | $575 (cash-check-Venmo)
17-week Session January 15-May 20, 2024 | REGISTER HERE
No class March 18 or 25 for 2-week Spring Break
Cuban Drumming with Scott Parker Mast
Introductory Adults + Teens
Thursdays 7:30-9 pm
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In this class, all levels are welcome, including adults and teens. We will begin with a brief discussion and practice of making the 3 basic sounds of the drum: slap, tone, and bass. Then we will jump right into playing traditional conga rhythms of Cuba. Most of what is taught will be drawn from the lineage of Los Munequitos de Matanzas. Scott received the permission to teach this repertoire from elder Jesus Alfonso (RIP), during follow up studies with him in Cuba in 2005. We will learn first and second accompaniments, as well as breaks and bell/clave patterns, and some root lead parts. Cultural context will also be discussed. I welcome and encourage use of smartphones to make audio and/or video recordings of class in order to have a reference point for practicing in between classes.
No experience is necessary, but it’s also okay if you have some! Some drums are available for use at no extra cost, but it is ideal to bring your own if you have one.
2024 Winter/Spring | $575 (cash-check-Venmo)
17-week Session January 18-May 23, 2024 | REGISTER HERE
No class March 21 or 28 for 2-week Spring Break
Advanced Cuban Drumming with Scott Parker Mast
with permission of the instructor
Tuesdays 7:30-9 pm
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2024 Winter/Spring | $300 (cash-check-Venmo)
9-week Session January 16-May 21, 2024 | REGISTER HERE
No class March 19 or 26 for 2-week Spring Break