"If you can walk you can dance, if you have a heartbeat, you can drum!" -- proverb from West Africa. 

For millennia, dancing and drumming have brought people together in community to create peace, health and wellness. The uplifting rhythms of Africa relieve stress and help people connect with each other, as well as to their own joy. Tara Murphy leads creative dance and drum classes inspired by African rhythms, for people of all abilities and backgrounds. It is a great time to release energy, lift spirits, connect with others, have fun, and get healthy exercise. Tara encourages participants to jam out and express their rhythms creatively. She also teaches simple basic techniques of West African movement and drumming from Mali and Guinea, West Africa. The dance and drum circle emphasizes community, self-expression and the joy of rhythm. Drums provided and no experience necessary.

This workshop is taught by Tara Murphy

Originally from Washington, D.C., Tara grew up studying ballet and theater. She earned her B.A. in theater and religious studies at Yale University, where she also began studying African dance. At this time Tara began exploring her heritage through African studies at Yale, and was awarded a fellowship to study traditional dance and drumming at the University of Legon in Ghana, West Africa. For the past 25 years, she has studied with many African and Afro-Caribbean artists in Washington, D.C., New York City and Boston. In addition to African dance, Tara has also practiced yoga and meditation since she was a child. Tara recognizes the practice of African dance and drumming as a tremendous force for healing, meditation, empowerment and community. It is her greatest honor to share the inspiration of these ancient traditions. Visit her website at: http://www.ammaya.org 

Investment: $25