Women's West African Drumming Group at the Tucker Recreation Center! Next class begins Wednesday, September 17th

Our second Six-Week class series of the late summer season will be on Wednesday nights starting September 17th, 7 - 8:30pm, at the Tucker Rec Center at 4898 LaVista Road, Tucker GA 30084. If you're taking a class at Tucker Rec for the first time you'll have to come early before the first class to register at the center, and receive a key card which you'll scan at the entrance each time you come for a class. To register for the class, make payment with one of the options below. You'll receive a confirmation email once you make payment.

This SIX-class series begins on Wednesday September 17th, runs six straight weeks, and finishes with a final class on Wednesday October 22nd. We will learn one traditional West African rhythm over the six classes of the course. We will cover all aspects of the rhythm: break, djembe accompaniments, dunun music, bridge and song.

Some rental and sale drums are available for the class if you need one to get started. If you do, please register early so I can make arrangements to provide a drum for you. **I currently have a couple really nice drums for sale!** 

Payment: The price for the 6-class course is $150. Drop-in to any single class for $30.

Payment options: If you don't have a Venmo or Zelle account, you can mail a check payable to "Kumandi Drums" to my home address, which I'll send you by email. Or you can call me at 404-966-5800 and give a credit card* number.  
Venmo: chuck-cogliandro
Zelle: mkdrum@mindspring.com

If you don't use Zelle or Venmo, Please use these Paypal buttons only for single, drop-in classes and for one month or six week djembe rental.

Djembe Rental

One month rental $25.00 USD Six week rental $35.00 USD

Introductory West African Drumming Workshop (Parents and kids invited!) Saturday, October 25th at Guitar Shed in Kirkwood

I recently discovered Guitar Shed, a great music school in Kirkwood that's been giving lessons in guitar, piano, bass, drums, ukelele, voice, banjo and other instruments since 2005. I met some of the instructors and offered to give a West African drumming workshop, and they agreed to host it!

The workshop is Saturday, October 25th, 12noon to 2pm, and a djembe will be provided for those who need one to get started. It's $45 per person, and I'll cover:

-Some of the history, origins, and culture of West African drumming
-Proper playing technique for bass, tone, and slap
-Warmups, hand-balancing exercises, and accompaniment rhythms
-Dunun (bass drum) music and a traditional song from Guinea

To register for the class, GO TO THIS PAGE on the Guitar Shed site. You'll receive a confirmation email once you make payment.


IMMERSION WORKSHOP: The Joy of Drumming #6, Saturday December 6th, 2025

Good friends and longtime drumming colleagues Ben Weston of One Drum, Dee Desnoyers of Drum Club, and Chuck Cogliandro of Kumandi Drums will lead the SIXTH Immersion Workshop in West African Drumming!!

Saturday, December 6th, 2025

Tucker Rec Center [NEW LOCATION!]

9am to 3pm, with lunch break

Plan to bring a lunch if you want to save the time it would take to go out during our break.

Cost: $110
Limited to 20 participants

Join these three instructors and their students for a day learning all aspects of a traditional West African rhythm, including:
-djembe accompaniment rhythms
-dunun music
-solo phrases
-break
-and more!

Location: Tucker Rec Center, Class Room 9

Enter through sliding glass doors near playground on BACK of building, and check in at registration desk. Classroom is first on the right past the reg desk.

4898 LaVista Road, Tucker GA 30084



To register, please GO TO THIS LINK. If you have any questions, please send an email to Chuck at chuck@kumandi.com.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

Up to November 6th cancellation, full refund will be given
Between November 7th and 21st, 50% refund will be given
After December 21st, no refund given; if there is a family or health emergency you will receive full credit toward a future workshop.


The Emerson Drummers are now playing in their 29th year together! (And our anniversary is September 24th) 

Your first class is FREE, so you can decide if it's a good fit. 7-8:30pm every Tuesday night, $20 per class drop-in for new members after your first class. For those ready to join the performing group, the Sustaining Member status gives you a discount price of $65 per month with a commitment to attend and pay every month.

In the warm months we meet at East Cobb Park on Roswell Road, in the pavilion closest to the road and just behind the kids' playground.  If that pavilion is already taken we move to the smaller pavilion, at the back of the upper parking lot. We'll be in the park at least through September.

During the cold months, including November-February, we meet in the Fellowship Hall at Emerson Unitarian Congregation, 4010 Canton Road, Marietta GA 30066. Loaner drums and sale drums available by request made prior to class. 
If you have any questions, please send an email to Chuck at chuck@kumandi.com.