The Fall Quarter marks the beginning of a new academic year at CMC, and our percussion classes are ready to set the season in motion. Whether you’re drawn to the poetic traditions of Veracruz, the soulful pulse of Peru, or the vibrant grooves of Brazil, we invite you to explore drumming traditions that connect people across continents and generations.
New This Fall:
Son Jarocho Music
Originating from Veracruz, Mexico, Son Jarocho is a community-driven art form that blends music, poetry, and dance in the tradition of the fandango. In this new class taught by María de la Rosa, you’ll explore the rhythmic heartbeat of zapateado dance, the lyrical flow of singing and poetry, and the interwoven harmonies of the jarana jarocha—a traditional fretted instrument. Students will learn the core rhythms behind sones jarochos and discover how percussion, strings, and voice fit together in a shared musical language.
No traditional instrument? No problem. Bring a jarana jarocha if you have one, or a stringed/fretted instrument you know, like a ukulele or guitar. Some instruments will be available for class use. Open to adults and older teens—no experience required.
Afro-Peruvian Cajon
The Afro-Peruvian cajon—a wooden box drum with roots in the African diaspora—has evolved into a symbol of cultural identity and pride in Peru. In this class with Pierr Padilla, you’ll learn the instrument’s history and dive into the rhythms that have made it a staple in celebrations and a versatile voice in global music. CMC provides cajons for students, but you’re welcome to bring your own. Open to adults and older teens, no experience necessary.
Brazilian Candomblé Drumming
Discover the hypnotic, layered rhythms of Afro-Brazilian Candomblé with instructor Robert Lopez. This class offers a hands-on exploration of duplet and triplet patterns, unique hand and stick techniques, and the cultural context that connects these sounds to song and dance. Candomblé’s musical language has shaped Brazil’s most famous styles, including samba and samba reggae. Open to adults and older teens, this course requires readiness to memorize patterns and techniques while immersing yourself in the tradition’s communal spirit.
Build Skills. Build Community.
Each class at CMC offers more than technical training—it’s an invitation to connect with traditions that have traveled across oceans and generations, and to join a community that values music as a source of joy, resilience, and cultural exchange.
Fall Quarter is the perfect time to start your musical journey. Come find your rhythm at CMC.