Frank Lazzaro has been in the San Diego area since 1986, where he has studied African and Middle Eastern drumming extensively. Frank teaches dumbek in both group and private settings, and regularly drums for bellydance classes and performances. He is currently a staff instructor at San DiegoWorld Beat Cultural Center. He also has an instructional CD available for students of middle eastern drumming and dance. Frank has performed annually at MECDA's Cairo Carnival and is a member of SAMEDA. Frank is the lead drummer for Middle-Earth Ensemble, currently on tour in Hawaii. Middle-Earth has 2 CDs available and is the 2006 Golden Belly Award winner for best music group.

This workshop will focus on middle-eastern rhythms and techniques for the dumbek and is open to all levels. Topics covered will include popular dance rhythms, playing in odd meters, composing a drum solo, and getting varied sounds from your drum including slaps, pops, grabs and rolls. Please bring a dumbek or similar drum for this class.