Tap into the Power of RHYTHM!

Unlock your natural rhythm and learn to PLAY DRUMS in a fun and supportive environment!

Tap into the Power of RHYTHM!

Unlock your natural rhythm and learn to PLAY DRUMS in a fun and supportive environment!

Weekly GROUP CLASSES!

See Schedule Below

One-Time WORKSHOPS!

See Workshops

The Total Rhythm School of World Percussion is dedicated to serving our community, so we set aside 20% of all course enrollment for students in financial need.  If you would like to be considered for one of our Scholarships, please email Robert@TotalRhythm.com to discuss options.

Your Expert Teachers

Mondays

Mar Stevens / West African Rhythms

Wednesdays

Robert (Bobby) Wallace / Funk Fusion

Monday Nights — 7-8:30pm — January 27 through March 31, 2025

WEST AFRICAN RHYTHMS

with Mar Stevens

Mar Stevens connected with her inner rhythms as a child drumming on her grade school desk. The Drum has transformed her life and continues to inspire and heal her.  Mar has studied with Master Drummer Afia Walking Tree, and attended the Fore-Fote Drum Camp in Guinea, West Africa.  Mar has performed with Sistahs of the Drum, Sistah Boom, Oakland Rhythm and teaches at the Born to Drum camp in Northern California.

Levels:
Beginner and Intermediate
Day/Time:
Mondays, 7-8:30 pm,
January 27-March 31, 2025
Location:
Total Rhythm Studio, Alameda, CA
10 week course:
$335

Learn traditional West African Rhythms with Oakland, CA – based percussionist and teacher Mar Stevens. Experience the Power of the Drum in this welcoming and uplifting class. Brand new drummers welcome!

  • All drums provided, or bring your own (Djembe, DjunDjun).
  • Learn proper drum technique, rhythms from West Africa, and how to feel comfortable and confident playing hand percussion!
Wednesday Nights — 7-8:30pm — January 29 through April 2, 2025

FUNK / FUSION

with Robert “Bobby” Wallace

Bobby was a founding member of the acclaimed RHYTHM CAFE ensemble and currently performs with Oakland-based Brazil:BLESS, Radio AFRO-Funk, Oakland RHYTHM and Imagine:NATION. Bobby also performs original material as the solo artist Bobby Beats.

More about Bobby
Levels:
Intermediate and Advanced
Day/Time:
Wednesday Nights — 7-8:30pm
January 29 – April 2, 2025
Location:
Total Rhythm Studio, Alameda, CA
6 week course:
$335

Pulling from Bobby’s 20+ year career as a percussionist with a mosaic of artists (Bonnie Riatt, John Santos, Massamba Diop, Margareth Menezes, Mamadou Sidibe etc.), this 10-week ensemble drum class for intermediate to advance students will journey into the Spirit of Rhythm using Brazilian beats, Oakland Funk, and traditional and modern rhythms from Cuba and West Africa.  This captivating mix of grooves, breaks and drum songs will incorporate rebolo, conga, surdo, djembe, djun-djun, agogo, caxixi, chekere, pandeiro and more. This unique course will also include vocal concepts and soloing ideas/motifs.

  • All drums provided (or bring your own).  Intermediate and advanced levels welcome.