Rhythm Keepers
Brian's Biography
In my early musical life, I was a classically trained bass player, playing in symphony orchestras, chamber groups and jazz ensembles. I left the professional performing world to become a violinmaker, obtaining my certificate in violinmaking in 1986 after a 3.5 year program of study with Master Tschu Ho Lee at the Chicago School of Violinmaking.
In the early 1990’s I began attending men’s retreats and took up the art of storytelling in the mytho-poetic tradition. In 1996, I was given the gift of my first drum, which I incorporated into my storytelling. This led to studying Afro-Cuban style drumming for 5 years with Pepe Danza and playing in several bands with him. One of my greatest joys in drumming is to accompany dancers, which I did for several years with various teachers of ecstatic dance.
I have extensive experience in leading rhythm circles, as well as creativity retreats. The practice of leading groups of men in ritual also plays a prominent role in my life. In October 2008 I completed the basic TaKeTiNa teacher training with Reinhard Flatischler, the Austrian percussionist who founded the process of TakeTiNa, and his wife Cornelia. Shasta and I are the first certified TaKeTiNa teachers in Canada.
A lifelong musician and master violinmaker, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the TaKeTiNa process. Trained in the heading arts of natural vision improvement and emotional release counselling, I have the gift of leading a group deeply into self-awareness and inner silence.