Ben Lawrence a ‘cellist from nine, studying music at Dartington College of Arts. He trained as a Community Musician setting up Community Music Wales. He played and toured with the folk group ‘Aberjaber’ and percussion ensemble ‘Drum Orchestra’. He is a renowned teacher running music workshops across the country for over twenty five years. In 1992 Ben studied for a year in West Africa, returning annually to Ghana, learning from some of Ghana’s leading performers and teachers. He is also the director of Ghana Goods, importing, and selling musical instruments.

The session

I will run a day workshop teaching the basic skills required to play African (Ghanaian), drums, percussion and xylophone/Balafone. I will teach traditional rhythms and improvisational skills. Working at the level of the group and look at how we can adapt what we learn to use in varying community settings.