Rhythm Curriculum / Programs
for Teachers & Facilitators

Interested in introducing African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms into your drum circle / program / curriculum?

Master Teacher, Will Matthews, with over 30 years experience teaching African and Afro-Caribbean rhythm at all levels, can help you create a specialized rhythm curriculum to match the needs of your group.

Envision, create and start a drum class

Introductory online meeting to assess goals

  • Schedule Zoom or FaceTime meeting
  • Discuss your ideas and goals for the group
  • Identify any areas we can assist with planning out and launching your vision
  • Answer any initial questions you might have

  • We’ll discuss your skills and goals
  • We’ll discuss your group members’ skills
  • Together we’ll create a list of rhythms that will match your skills, the groups skills and your vision for the group

  • We’ll provide practice audio, video and drum notation files
  • Drum practice files may be made available to you as either as one-time downloadable files, or through your own special Fremont Drum class facilitator online membership account.
  • You’ll be free (if you wish) to create a class hand-out packet that includes the rhythms you’ll be focusing on (along with their drum notation charts).
  • If you prefer we create and provide hand-out packet we can provide that support for a nominal fee.

  • We’ll meet to discuss any lingering questions or concerns you might have before you launch your class
  • We can assist with questions you might have regarding:
    • Class organization
    • Hand techniques for playing drums or small percussion
    • Class and facilitation approaches to presenting the rhythms
    • Drum notation charts

  • We want to make your class a success and will provide email support you throughout the process
  • You can always use the contact us page, but you’ll receive a specific Rhythm Program support email address upon signing up for the program.
Group class facilitated by master teacher Will at the World Rhythm Festival (Seattle)
Drum & Dance workshop facilitated by master teacher Will (Seattle)
Group class facilitated by Fremont Drum Online member Roderick (Hawaii)

Package #1

4 Ensemble Rhythms

  • Initial Zoom / FaceTime meeting
  • Identify teacher & audience skills
  • Ensemble rhythms selection
  • All video & audio rhythm files
  • Access easy-to-read notation
  • Teacher mentoring / practice tips
  • Pre-class preparation meeting
  • Email support through 2nd class

Package #2

7 Dialogue Rhythms

  • Initial Zoom / FaceTime meeting
  • Identify teacher & audience skills
  • Dialogue rhythms selection
  • All video & audio rhythm files
  • Access easy-to-read notation
  • Teacher mentoring / practice tips
  • Pre-class preparation meeting
  • Email support through 2nd class

Package #3

3 Ensemble Rhythms & 3 Solos

  • Initial Zoom / FaceTime meeting
  • Identify teacher & audience skills
  • Ensembles / Solos selection
  • All video & audio rhythm files
  • Access easy-to-read notation
  • Teacher mentoring / practice tips
  • Pre-class preparation meeting
  • Email support through 2nd class

Want to find out more? Message us – we’re excited to hear about and discuss your ideas!

“We are Michael and JoAnne, members of an island community of 800 residents located in the Pacific NW. Over the past year, we have been volunteering as facilitators for a community-based drum group that meets regularly to study, practice, and play Afro and Caribbean rhythms.  Our focus is to create, resource, and facilitate a drum group directed at learning and playing Afro-Caribbean music as an ensemble.

Will fully embraced our need for guidance with a sincere commitment to support our efforts. He provided us with a plan and all the tools we needed to gain success in our facilitator role. His step-by-step guidance not only enabled our group to learn and grow, but also resulted in the participants having an individual sense of accomplishment with the enjoyment of playing as an ensemble.

With a sincere level of interest in our facilitation and ensemble group progress, Will routinely followed up with us regarding our journey. He responded accordingly when assessing our progress, such as providing customization of notation and new orchestration ideas.

His desire to help us with orchestration brought new learning skills with the use of sticks, clave, bells, and shekere, while also introducing “breaks” aimed at adding fun and interest to our practice/play sessions (e.g. silent break, bell break clave break).

In summary, Will has supported us every step of the way through this process of facilitating a group and expanding our drumming skills. We would not be experiencing the fun and success we have achieved without his tutelage and caring support.

Thank you, Will, for your commitment to sharing your vast knowledge and artistry of music with others, teaching skills to bring us joy!!”

– Michael & JoAnne Grey | Community Drum Circle Faciltators | Guemes Island | 2023

What students say about Will’s
Classes, Workshops & Programs