Learn to Lead Drumming Sessions

Our Facilitator Training Programs give you road-ready skills and resources to run successful drumming sessions for all age groups.

  • Learn how to confidently lead rhythm-based sessions.
  • Expand your professional toolkit.
  • Courses are aligned with the New Zealand Teaching Standards (Teaching Council).

Become a certified African Drumming Facilitator with us, no prior musical experience necessary!

Upcoming Dates

Online
Level 1: Saturday 8th August | Level 2: Sunday 9th August 2026
Session time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm (AEST)

On Location –  Melbourne, Perth, Sydney & NZ

Book Your Own – we bring the Course to you directly at a time which suits your schedule.

Run Your Own Drumming Sessions with Confidence

All our professional learning programs are aligned with the New Zealand Teaching Standards (Teaching Council).

Develop the skills to confidently lead engaging drumming experiences, strengthen musical understanding, and create inclusive, rhythm-focused sessions suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.

What You’ll Gain

  • Suitable for all experience levels – whether you’re completely new to drumming or already teaching music
  • Practical, hands-on training in both drumming techniques and group facilitation
  • A strong foundation in culturally respectful approaches to rhythm and percussion
  • Ready-to-use session plans, rhythm patterns, and classroom activities
  • Ongoing access to an extensive resource library including rhythms, games, audio, and notation
  • Discounted educator pricing on instruments
  • Direct alignment with the Australian Curriculum, supporting easy integration into classroom programs
Download Course Overview

Level 1

An introduction to West African drumming and practical ways to teach it. Designed to be accessible for complete beginners, this level is ideal for those with little or no prior drumming experience.

Level 2

Builds your musical skills and confidence as a leader, exploring ensemble playing, soloing, and the expressive spirit of West African drumming. This level blends technique, creativity, and enjoyment as you develop your group facilitation skills.

Level 3

Advanced techniques for designing and delivering engaging, high-quality drumming sessions and programs. This level deepens your musicianship and leadership, with a focus on 12/8 rhythms, more complex arrangements, and expanded soloing skills.

“

I had a fantastic time over the weekend and can’t speak highly enough of the teaching and enthusiasm over the two days. I have learned so much from her and I can’t wait to get started teaching the kids back at school.

ElizabethMadang Avenue Public School
“

Since first discovering African Drumming at a teacher seminar I have grown to love the simplicity and subtlety of the Djembe. I have my own beautiful 14” Ghana Djembe and have gradually built up my own set of 10” djembes for use with my Grade Five class. I have found that by including a few of the higher quality Ghana djembes with the more economical Indonesian drums, we achieve a much better ensemble sound. I have now added a pair of Stumpy Duns, some bells and Kiss Kass. In the two years that I have been using my drums, I have yet to suffer a breakage, and I look forward to may years of introducing young people to the joys of ensemble. My drumming group (which is generally made up of those students who missed out on the more prestigious ensembles) gave its first public performance at our school’s Annual Music Concert. It proved to be the most popular item on the programme and has lead to a series of invitations from the school, community groups and the council to perform.

Alan
“

Just wanted to say that I have just had the best time this weekend. The African drumming Levels 1 and 2 were fantastic and very worthwhile. I learned so much

Annamaria
“

Just wanted to send you this email to let you know how inspired and motivated you have made me feel about my Primary music classes after doing the training on the weekend.

Tracy
“

The facilitator training was valuable to me, offering formula for teaching that accommodated both experienced and inexperienced teachers and musicians. We learnt many games and warm-ups (which I am still using today)- including body percussion and correct technique. Simon obviously has a vast knowledge of African rhythms, but his ability to break them down and notate them in a form easily understood, is what makes them accessible to everybody. Using his formulas as a basic structure, gave me the confidence to plan and facilitate my own drum circles with my students. With these newly acquired skills, I was able to formulate traditional African pieces by seeking out new rhythms and teaching some of the pieces from the vast Instructional Pack. It’s a lot of fun because we get to experiment with sound, to catch a glimpse of what it feels like to be part of something ancient, something bigger than us. There’s no way to describe the feeling, when we are all connected, in a matrix of woven individual rhythms that serve the unified purpose of a superior sound. I call it “being in the groove”. All the kids can do, is smile when that happens, and “Wow” gets said a lot ?

Leah

Single Level 1 or 2

1 day online or onsite
For our scheduled courses
$350

Levels 1 & 2, or Level 3

2 days online or onsite
For our scheduled courses
$595

Levels 1, 2, 3 Together

4 days online or onsite
For our scheduled courses only
$1000
Course Overview
Teacher Video Hub
Results
Program in Action

Register Your Interest Now

If you have any questions or a booking inquiry, fill in your details below or
send us an email at info@africandrumming.co.nz
We are known for our quick replies!

    FAQs

    I’ve never drummed before – can I do the Course?

    Yes! Level 1 will teach you the basic drumming and facilitation skills needed to run sessions. You will want to dedicate time to developing your own skills to make facilitation easier and we provide resources and materials to help you do just that. The learning curve is very gentle for djembe and a passion for rhythm will get you a long way!

    Can I really go straight from the Course to teaching African Drumming?

    Yes. For drumming, you’ll be provided with starter rhythms (including mp3s and notation), exercises, musical games and basic playing skills. For resources, you’ll have the Workshop Template, Rhythmic Flow chart and a Starter Pack of games and icebreakers. And to bring it all together, we teach you how to teach with strong facilitation skills.

    What kind of drums do you use?

    The foundational tool of the trade is the djembe – an easy to learn, versatile hand drum from West Africa. We use much more than just the djembe though, with a focus on all of the essential instruments of an ensemble. Each Level unpacks the potential of the ensemble at a deeper level.

    Is it only drumming?

    No! We bring and deliver an ensemble mentality. We use djembes, dunun, shakers, bells, balafon and body percussion, teaching you how to establish interesting musical soundscapes that can be as simple or complex as you desire.

    Who attends the Course?

    Approximately 60% of our Facilitators are school teachers while 40%  have backgrounds in Wellness, At Risk Youth services, Mental Health, Arts Therapy & Community Services.

    I’ve done other Training programs – which Level should I attend?

    In 90% of cases we recommend starting with L1 regardless of your prior training. We also find that attending Levels 1 and 2 together is the most productive approach for people with prior experience in music or drumming. For those who have not had any prior experience, it may be beneficial to separate your L1 and L2 training, allowing you time to put into practice the content learned in the L1. Get in touch with us if you’re unsure what the best plan for you is.
    All your prior training is great, however we establish foundational content and themes in Level 1 that are unique and specialised to our Course that you won’t have encountered before. Level 1 introduces key themes, tools and resources, priming you for the more advancing content of Level 2 perfectly. In Level 2 we develop the course fundamentals, introduce some new ones, and focus more on you as a player and facilitator. It’s the best way to maximise your learning, getting you confident and road-ready for delivering your own sessions, and developing you as a facilitator.

    Will there be instruments for sale at the Course?

    Yes – we offer on-the-spot discounts on the drums and instruments we use at the Course. You can also pre-order instruments and have them ready for pick up on the day, saving you freight costs.

    Can I check out what your Facilitators are doing with their students?

    You sure can – check out a video at Wangaratta and Coffs Harbour.