Programs

Glen Velez Solo

Glen demonstrates the diversity and creative potential of a wide range of Frame Drums, including solos on the Riq (Egyptian Tambourine), the Bodhran (Irish frame drum), Gaval (Central Asian Frame drum), as well as a solo on a standard Western tambourine, featuring techniques from South Italy, South India and Basque Spain. In addition Glen creates a polyrhythmic, multi-limbed solo on Shaker which utilizes techniques from Venezuelan and Columbian maraca playing along with his unique innovations. Glen engages the audience for an immersion into his style of drum music with interactive drum vocalizations and Central Asian Overtone Singing.

Education Offerings: Artist Residency, Workshops,  Masterclasses

Glen is a master teacher who conducts workshops worldwide and has published numerous books and articles on the Frame Drum. Velez developed his own teaching approach called “The Handance Method.” It incorporates voice and body movement into the process of learning to play the Frame Drum and has been presented in hundreds of universities worldwide. He currently teaches Frame Drums at the Mannes School of Music, as well as a series of master classes at The Juilliard School in New York City.

FRAME DRUM WORKSHOP: A Hands On Experience

Learn how to play the North African Tar drum using simple drum language and typical Arabic rhythms. This style of teaching uses an easy and fun way to approach group or community drumming. The workshop also explores “Overtone Singing,” an ancient use of the voice which allows one person to sing two or more notes utilizing deep breathing and the slowing down of normal speech. Glen demonstrates his unique style of drumming derived from South Indian, Central Asian, Arabic and South Italian traditions.
No experience necessary. Drums provided.

FRAME DRUM MASTER CLASS

Glen demonstrates his unique style of drumming derived from South Indian, Arabic, Central Asian and South Italian traditions. Demonstrating solos on the Tar (North African), the Riq (Egyptian), the Gaval (Azerbaijani) and the Bodhran (Irish) as his point of departure, Glen teaches the techniques by slowing down the patterns and explaining the different hand movements. Each of these drumming traditions has contributed significantly to the tapestry that Glen has woven together over 30 years of creating his drumming solos. Glen also shows how to use drum language to facilitate learning drum rhythms along with Overtone Singing to increase breath awareness.