i've been a teacher of djembe and dunun for 4 years, but i've been playing djembe 4 times that long. when people ask me why i didn't start earlier, i tell them that i never wanted to be an authority on djembe, but also i never knew what teaching would come to mean to me.

before i began teaching djembe i had taught esl and health topics. english is a language that opens up many avenues for people - migration, jobs, meeting a wider range of people on travels, etc. health topics, on the other hand, educate the public on health issues and options. often it's a means to create bridges so that people can seek services when they are needed.

when i teach the djembe, it's all those things and more. it's not so much whether they can play with the right technique and feel, but to open up avenues for self expression, working together in harmony, creating bridges between people, inspiring and motivating, improving people's self esteem, the list goes on...

lately i've been involved a little more with...

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