Caru Thompson  has been studying, performing, teaching, creating, composing, writing, and storytelling for 20 years.  She facilitates shekere and bell intensives in the U.S. and abroad.  She is a member of ASE (Ah Shay), the Ancestral Messengers, and performs with others, including Ubaka Hill and the Shapeshifters.  She is currently working on a collection of stories called "The Gourd Stories", and is completing a teaching video "Good Gourd!  So You Want to Play the Shekere".

At the "Happen'ns" Caru's workshops shake rattle & roll:

GOOD GOURD! What a Voice! The heart of the Shekere:  Utilizing Vocal and Beaded Gourds, we will (re)discover Clave and create orchestrated gourd songs.

SOUNDING, SINGING, ESSENTIAL SYNCOPATION:  We will utilize Vocal and Body Percussion, Chants & Song, and drum patterns to develop shekere rhythms.

SOLOING for SELF & ENSEMBLE:  Focus your unique patterns into a solo piece then return to the group on the "ONE".

SHEKERE, GOURD, & BELL:  The Shekere and Bell have the mechanism to ROCK a drum-song to another level by working both the bottom (time-keep) and the top. We will run the basics (review rhythms, set patterns, orchestrate and practice songs) and develop our individual approach to attain the best Technique! Technique! Technique! There will be songs and chants of empowerment and spirit, and we will co-create a possible performance piece.  Shekere, Gourd and Bell 1 and 2 are for all levels.  Shekere, Gourd, and Bell 3 is for intermediate/ advanced players.