As a Modern Dance major, there are certain classes that I need in order to graduate, one of them being Music for Dancers. The class is essentially built to help dancers understand the rhythms and beats of music as well as learn to play them so that we are more in tune with it when we are dancing. I took this class with our drum accompanist, Brian Dailey and in the class we had an African Music unit where we learned how to play the Djembe. I loved it so much and Brian saw how eager I was to continue learning. Second semester rolled around and I was approached by a graduating Modern Major who was in need of a third accompanist for her senior capstone performance and Brian had mentioned my name to her. I ended up accompanying senior, Mckinlea Kear’s capstone with her and Brian also on the Djembe. It was such a surreal experience, the three of us sat in a drum circle in the middle of the studio while the dancers performed around us. It was so amazing being in the middle of it all while feeling the music I was creating. We sat in a circle because its the traditional way to perform African Drums and we were able to sense and hear each other better. I loved feeling the beat of the Djembe throughout my whole body, while watching the dancers interact with us on stage, it felt like we were just all jamming out and having a huge party. The look on everyone’s face was my favorite part. I could tell everyone was so compelled whether it was by the dancing, the live drumming, or the combination of both. I was so grateful for the experience and Brian’s encouragement through it all. When I came to college as a Modern dance major I never pictured myself performing on the drums but I am so grateful I was even given the opportunity and tools I needed to succeed. Above is an excerpt from The Sound of Rain Captsone by Mckinlea Kear. (Dancers: Kimber Harlan, Alyce Martinez, Emma Hallin, Hunter Sheehan, Kel Martin)
2022
