South Shore Drum Chick goes Big
Posted on June 18, 2008
Filed Under Music |
It all started when she was just a little girl.
The beat and rhythm of life filled her blood, overflowing with creativity.
Now, she’s sharing her passion for west African drumming and dance with Lake Tahoe.
Liz Broscoe has been a drummer for 35 years. She began her rhythmic endeavors at the age of ten and has been singing and drumming professionally for 25 years. Since 2000, Broscoe has taught West African Djembe, Afro-Cuban Conga, and drum set classes at Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe.
In 2006, Liz facilitated drumming and dance workshops to more than 8,500 children in the Carson/Tahoe area. Her work in bringing cultural awareness and education to the schools was grant funded by the Nevada Arts Council and the Tahoe Arts Project. Using the power of the drum, Liz, AKA: Drumchik Productions, facilitates staff development and team building workshops throughout CA and NV. Her new show, Durga, Goddess of the Drum recently premiered at the Brewery Arts Center, and her high energy drum and dance troupe Java Djembe continues to do community service performances.
Over the years, Liz has seen the enthusiasm for her classes spread and watched her students grow. “The interest in playing the djembe drum is amazing to me.
According to West African drummer Mamady Keite, perhaps it is because of our yearning to “live in rhythm”, and this desire is the beginning of a true intercultural exchange.”
As a musician, facilitator, and teacher, Liz recognizes the truth of this and wants to share these rhythms and the experiences they create with as many people who have a desire to learn them.
Click here for more about Drumchik Productions. Here’s an excerpt from the website:
Why West African Rhythm?
These rhythms are fun, easy and have a rich musical history. The individual voices of these rhythms weave together allowing us to play in harmony and tune into one another. The deeper we tune in the better the rhythm sounds. Technical ability has little to do with this.
Why African Style Dance?
All African dances have a purpose. They tell stories, relate history, identify individuals and groups, and accompany celebrations. African music and dance in its essence communicates concepts of life on an elevated level. In the African tradition, dance is an universal, transcendent language. The practice of creating dance as an effective means of communication is easily adaptable to diverse groups. People of all ages and abilities respond enthusiastically to the drum and dance of Africa.
