West African Drum & Dance Camp
An Unforgettable Learning Experience
Music
- Four levels of djembe classes
- Classes in balafon, dunun, kora, singing, shekere, and krin
- Drum-maintenance, building, blinging, re-heading, and tuning led by Tom Harris
- Open community drumming under the moon and stars
Dance
- Two levels of dance classes
- Percussive dance instruction on Duns
- Free morning yoga classes
- Massage and healing arts practitioners
- Grand Finale talent show and concert
- Guinea-style folklore celebration
Wildacres Retreat, Little Switzerland, North Carolina
Monday, May 6th through Sunday, May 12th, 2019
You are invited to come and experience the warm, high-energy sense of community created at the annual Kumandi Drum and Dance Camp. Join long-time attendees and first-time friends to create an inviting atmosphere of fun, play, learning and togetherness in the spirit of West African drum and dance. Enjoy a full week immersed in the community, music and culture, or come for a shorter time – various packages are available.
The experienced and highly talented staff of instructors is brought together by Julie & Andrew Moore, with the support of Chuck Cogliandro of Kumandi Drums, to satisfy everyone from the beginning beginner to the advanced-level participant.
This event sells out quickly after registration opens, and has been very highly regarded, . . . don’t miss out!
Classes
All classes 90 minutes long. Rental drums are available. A deposit of $100 per person is required to hold your space. For cancellations up to April 1st, all but $50 of the deposit is returned. After April 1st, no refunds except for health emergencies.
Facilities
All of this takes place in the natural spring-time beauty of Wildacres Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway northeast of Asheville. All accommodations are in very comfortable, double-occupancy hotel-style rooms with private bath. Delicious family-style, dining-hall meals include vegetarian and vegan options.
Pricing
| Adults/Teens, Arrival | ||
| Monday | 6PM | $695 |
| Tuesday | 6PM | $645 |
| Wednesday | 6PM | $590 |
| Thursday | 12Noon | $565 |
| Thursday | 6PM | $535 |
| Youth, AGE 6-12, Arrival | ||
| Monday | 6PM | $425 |
| Tuesday | 6PM | $395 |
| Wednesday | 6PM | $365 |
| Thursday | 12Noon | $350 |
| Thursday | 6PM | $335 |
| Children, Age 3-5, Arrival | ||
| Monday | 6PM | $260 |
| Tuesday | 6PM | $230 |
| Wednesday | 6PM | $200 |
| Thursday | 12Noon | $185 |
| Thursday | 6PM | $170 |
| Children, Age 0-2 | Free | |
| Daily Commuter | Limited | |
| Adult | Per Day | $75 |
| Age 6-12 | Per Day | $60 |
| Age 3-5 | Per Day | $45 |
While making music together, people surpass invisible frontiers – as music is the only language which reaches from heart to heart – without words, . . . or aggression.
-Yacoub ‘Bruno’ Camara of Fatala