Middle Eastern Rhythms with Ryan Mayer

Adult Group Class / Drumming Program

Experience the vibrant world of MENA percussion in this dynamic, hands-on workshop—perfect for dancers, drummers, and anyone interested in rhythm.

You’ll be introduced to traditional percussion instruments (darbouka, riqq, bendir), learn the language of the drum, and play popular rhythms heard at dance parties and celebrations in the MENA region. These rhythms are the foundation of this breathtaking musical tradition.

In this workshop, you will:

Learn the language of the drum and how to play core party and performance rhythms and their common forms.

Understand how these rhythms support and inspire MENA dance.
Train your ear to anticipate phrasing and song structure
Practice accompanying music in its different regional and stylistic forms
Open to all levels and all backgrounds, including dancers, musicians, and total beginners. For any hand drum—no prior musical training required.

If you don’t have a drum, you can borrow one of ours.

Ryan Mayer is a multi-instrumentalist who specializes in Middle Eastern and North African percussion. He has performed with many groups and artists around the Chicago area including the University of Chicago Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, Turkish Cultural Association, Tarageed, El Amal, Magic Carpet, Persian pop stars Andy and Shakila, Alberto Mizrahi, and many others. He is also a music educator that teaches MENA percussion in the traditional style that he learned from his teacher, master Tunisian percussionist Najib Bahri. Through his work as a teaching artist in the Chicago Public Schools, thousands of kids now know the language of the drum. Ryan is also the belly dance class accompanist at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

Grouped with: Global Traditions / Middle Eastern / Musicianship