West African Drum & Dance Camp
An Unforgettable Learning Experience - Become a Better Drummer & Dancer May 5-11, 2025. Click Here To Register Now!Click Here To Email RegistrarMusic
- 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
- Drumming for Dance classes
+ More
- 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
The Monday before Mother's Day through Mother's Day morning, yearly
You are invited to come and experience the warm, high-energy sense of community created at the annual Community Sound West African Music 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 dedicated Guinean & American instructors is brought together by Community Sound’s Julie Moore to satisfy everyone from the beginning beginner to the advanced-level participant. Long-term teachers at this retreat include Bolokada Conde, Fode Lavia Camara, Abou Camara, Mohamed Diaby, Amo Soumah, Robin “Bountou” Leftwich & Will Ridenour, with a rotation of additional guest artists.
This event sells out quickly after registration opens, and is highly regarded by participants & instructors alike . . . don’t miss out! Register Now.
Info
- All classes are 90 minutes long. Click link to view the sample 2023 Schedule
- Rental drums are available.
- A deposit of $120 per person is required to hold your space, which is applied to your balance and requested after your application has been submitted.
- For cancellations up to March 15th, the deposit is returned, excepting a $65 service fee.
- Payment in full is due by March 15th, refundable except for full $120 deposit through April 15th. Half-price refunds are available from April 15th-May 1st. Refunds of any portion are at the sole discretion of Community Sound after May 1st.
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
We have limited scholarships & are accepting requests to be an assistant to Tom at his drum tent. Please email Julie to inquire.
Single Occupancy – Registering for camp indicates your acceptance of having a roommate. Single rooms will only be issued two weeks before camp starts, based upon availability.
| Adults/Teens, Arrival | ***Hold Cell Phones Sideways*** | Double Occupancy |
| Monday | 6PM | $883 |
| Tuesday | 6PM | $873 |
| Wednesday | 6PM | $822 |
| Thursday | 12 Noon | $720 |
| Youth, AGE 6-12, Arrival | ||
| Monday | 6PM | $435 |
| Tuesday | 6PM | $430 |
| Wednesday | 6PM | $410 |
| Thursday | 12 Noon | $375 |
| Children, Age 3-5, Arrival | ||
| Monday | 6PM | $280 |
| Tuesday | 6PM | $275 |
| Wednesday | 6PM | $260 |
| Thursday | 12 Noon | $230 |
| Children, Age 0-2 | Free | |
| Daily Commuter *Meals Now Included* |
Limited | |
| Adult | Per Day | $170 |
| Age 6-12 | Per Day | Free |
| Age 3-5 | Per Day | Free |
Scholarships are very limited but do exist. If needed, please send an email to the registrar.
Email Us:
Julie, Director – drumcampregistrar@gmail.com
Hannah Catherine, Help Desk – drumcamphelp@gmail.com
Mail Checks To:
“Community Sound” at PO Box 175, Tigerville SC, 29688