Explore the diverse world of North African rhythms and music. Learn traditional and popular styles from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, including rai, malouf, chaabi, and folkloric. This workshop is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to working professionals.

Rhythms are taught through a lineage based tradition of speaking the rhythm aloud before playing it. Once learned, each rhythm is performed alongside the ney flute, so participants can hear and feel how it functions in its full melodic context.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have an understanding of several North African rhythms and the cultural styles they come from.

Ryan Mayer is a multi-instrumentalist who specializes in Middle Eastern and North African percussion. He has performed and recorded with many groups and artists around the Chicago area including the University of Chicago Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, Turkish Cultural Association, Tarageed, El Amal, Magic Carpet, Persian pop stars Andy and Shakila, Alberto Mizrahi, and many others. He is also a music educator that teaches MENA percussion in the traditional style that he learned from his teacher, master Tunisian percussionist, Najib Bahri. Through his work as a teaching artist in the Chicago Public Schools, thousands of kids now know the language of the drum. Ryan was the belly dance class accompanist and MENA Rhythms instructor at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago for many years. He has recently relocated to northern New Mexico and is excited to share his love of music with the local community in this next chapter.