Rhythm and Harmony of Peppermint

This workshop is a collaboration between Djulz Chambers (founder of Melbourne-based Soul Circles Drumming) and Peter Hunt (composer, musician and lead lyricist of Kooii). It is an invitation to participate in the creation of a collectively generated musical experience inspired by the energy of all who attend and by the vibration of the peppermint plant. The workshop will apply the powerful language of the West-African Djembe and percussion ensemble, as well as the strength of breath and song, to amplify our intentions for healing and communion.

We will open by merging our attention with the essence of peppermint, which may be used to affectively clear the mind of its distractions and to establish mental clarity. This may be particularly so in relation to the perspectives one would wish to hold. We will be offered the opportunity to focus on this intention by engaging with movement, breath and tonal exercises to open our session together.

You will then be guided in the production of a complete drum arrangement that resonates with the vibration of this sacred plant, as well as given opportunities to expand into your own rhythmic expression with basic tools of improvisation. Further, you will be guided in the development of your vocal expression to expound the beauty and wisdom of what lies within, and to relate to the drumming experience in a different way. This will be initiated by uniting our breath, movement and natural tones and culminate in a harmonic arrangement that lends itself to each individual’s unique sound.

No previous musical experience is necessary, and drums may be provided on request. Please be in touch if you wish to hire one for the session via djulz@soulcirclesdrumming.com.

About the Facilitators:

DJULZ CHAMBERS

For more than a decade since her initiation into the art-forms of drumming and storytelling in Burkina Faso (West Africa), Djulz Chambers has been in dedicated service to communities around the world via her application of both modalities. Soul Circles Drumming offers sessions based on the wisdom of the natural world, that are immensely successful in orientating individuals to their chosen path of healing and expression of their own unique creativity. They integrate universal wisdom referring us to our elemental bodies and to our relationships through a myriad of meditative exercises, and offer fully facilitated West-African inspired drumming arrangements that serve to activate each person’s intentions. These sessions provide a valuable complement to other modalities promoting personal growth and healing, as well as standing on their own in the interests of cultivating self-sovereignty and embodying ancestral wisdom.

PETER HUNT

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Peter Hunt integrates the influence of jazz and reggae music, as well as traditional African and folk music, in his vast repertoire. Though best known as Kooii’s singer, songwriter and trumpet player, Peter is a highly active collaborator with a significant way of composition that creates and imaginative space for musicians and listeners to feel themselves in the music. Outside of his immediate family of collaborating musicians, he offers this space and way to the wider community in intimate song gatherings. Within these gatherings, individuals are invited to relax into and activate their voice with the support of their community – lending to a group expression that transcends the sum of its parts and becomes a ‘medicine’ for all.