GAHU Performing Arts

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5/1/2010 - GAHU Drum & Dance Ensemble at the Scharmann Theatre, Jamestown, NY
GAHU Drum Ensemble at 2007 Chautauqua County Music Awards - Crown Theatre - Jamestown, New York
Blue Moon Management Artists Claire Stuczynski and the GAHU Drum Ensemble embrace a special moment!!!
GAHU Performing Arts, founded by Drummer/Percussionist T.R. McKotch, Choreographer/Dancer Nicole Ten Eyck, and Percussionist Rhonda Harp, aims to bring the excitement and dynamic energy of African percussion and dance to wider audiences of all ages, ability and background. No-one is excluded. GAHU Performing Arts has recently added Dancer/Choreographer/Drummer Katie Petersen to their performance and workshop line-up.
It is our aim to encourage participation in, and enjoyment of, the rhythms and dances of West Africa, the Caribbean, and the African Diaspora, whether in a workshop or performance.
Nicole Ten Eyck front left with Sankofa African Dance & Drum Ensemble
Katie Petersen at the Gagara Music Center in Medie, Ghana
GAHU Performing Arts offers several programs to meet your functions needs. Universal Hand Drumming facilitated by T.R. McKotch and Universal Drum & Dance facilitated by T.R. McKotch and Nicole Ten Eyck.
UNIVERSAL DRUM & DANCE WORKSHOPS
Nicole and T.R. facilitate African drum & dance classes at colleges, art centers, public schools, and more...Respecting the African cultures, Nicole and T.R. share the beauty of the intereaction between drummer and dancer by demonstrating a traditional rooted song and dance. Their classes are interactive where the participants will have the chance to experience the traditional dance with Nicole and traditional song with T.R. At the end of the workshop, the participants will have the opportunity to conduct the song and dance with the guidance of Nicole and T.R.
UNIVERSAL HAND DRUM WORKSHOPS
Universal Hand Drumming facilitated by T.R. McKotch, is is a fun, full-interactive hand drum program that requires no previous musical or drumming experience. Every participant will receive a hand drum (djembe) or percussion instrument... Within minutes participants have been introduced to the basics of technique and rhythm, and have begun to play as a group!
Over the span of the workshop, the drummers will embark on a rhythmic journey that allows them to interact in new ways. Non-verbal communication is enhanced through the introduction of simple rhythmic patterns.
As a group we quickly discover that each of us has a unique and essential contribution to the music that is being created as a whole.
Your drumming session will be highly engaging, allowing the group to be simultaneously entertained, energized and inspired. I can guarantee that the drumming session will be a highlight of your event!
Instruments featured in the Hand Drum Rhythms presentations include djembe, shakers, toke bells, guiro, djun djun, sangba, kenkeni, and more.
Rhythms explored include Kpanlogo (Ghana), Luba (Congo), Shiko (Nigeria), and more beautiful rhythms from West Africa, Central Africa, Haiti and more.
BENEFITS OF UNIVERSAL DRUMMING & DANCING
Incredibly different - instant results! Drums and other percussion instruments are provided for everyone by TOCA Percussion and Blue Heron Industries!
Beyond the pure entertainment value, the benefits our drumming and dancing sessions for your group include:
✓ Creates unity - celebrates diversity
✓ Promotes “thinking outside the box”
✓ Develops leadership
✓ Engages both the right & left brain
✓ Develops creativity
✓ Non-verbal communication skills
✓ A newfound respect for everyone’s contribution
Universal Hand Drumming & Dancing sessions take you back to core values: harmony, respect, memory skills, creativity, communication, achieving a goal, real human contact, laughter, success in a new activity.
Universal Hand Drumming & Dancing Program is ideal for schools, universities, corporations (team building), music festivals, private parties, and more.
Groups that have taken part in the fully-interactive Universal Hand Drum Programs
Jamestown Public Schools, Jamestown, NY
Coudersport Junior-Senior High School, Coudersport, PA
Job Corps, Cassadaga, NY
Griffis Sculpture Park, East Otto, NY
Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY
Anshe Sfard-Revere Road Synagogue, Akron, OH
Shaw Jewish Community Center, Akron, OH
YMCA Preschool, Warren, PA
ENDORSEMENTS
"T.R. McKotch is a rare kind of musician who can both play and teach very well. His ability to connect to beginner drummers, both by teaching and through empowering them are traits that will help his students long after they leave his experiences . TR is someone who truly loves people and wants to see them progress." -Jim Donovan (Rusted Root)
"T.R. is fantastic. A true gem for our area." -Steve Gustafson (10,000 Maniacs)
"TR's hand drumming workshop is made possible through the Artist-In-Residence program. He brings a wealth of knowledge of drumming skills to my fourth grade students at Ring School. The kids really enjoy this workshop and TR makes it fail-proof; a 100% success rate! His interaction with the students is high-quality, positive, and professional while still keeping at a level that the kids respond well to. His advance work with the select group provides the students with a skill and experiencethat most would never have gained. They truly admire and respect him. It is a highlight of their fourth grade year!" -LouAnn Dobmeier (C.C. Ring School Music Teacher)
MEMBERS OF JOHN WALLER & GAHU DRUM ENSEMBLE AT REG LENNA CIVIC CENTER - JAMESTOWN, NY.
06/07/2008 - GAHU Drum Ensemble at the Essex Arts Center - Buffalo, NY
L-R: Rhonda Harp, Mark Smeltzer, T.R. McKotch & Lydia Harp