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Cuban Carnival Music – 10-Week Ensemble Course

Cuban Carnival Music – 10-Week Ensemble Course

10 February – 14 April 2027 (10 weeks)

Wednesdays, 8:00–9:30 pm

Location: Rising Tide Studios, 270 Mare St, Hackney, London E8 1HE

Level: 2–3

About the course

Experience the energy and excitement of Cuban carnival music in this ten-week ensemble course, designed for percussionists and horn players with previous musical experience.

The course focuses on two vibrant Cuban carnival traditions: Conga de Comparsa and Mozambique . Students will explore the distinctive rhythms, arrangements and musical structures of these traditions, developing both individual technique and ensemble playing skills.

Throughout the course, we will work on rhythmic coordination, musical arrangements and the interaction between percussion, horns and voices. Students will learn how the different instrumental parts fit together, how songs are integrated into the music and how to create the powerful, driving sound characteristic of Cuban carnival ensembles.

Emphasis will be placed on listening, musical communication and developing the confidence to play as part of a dynamic ensemble.

Who is the course for?

This course is suitable for Level 2–3 musicians, including drummers and horn players who already have some experience of ensemble playing.

Please see our level guidelines for further information.

Course fees

Early bird: £210 (until 31 January 2027)

Standard: £260

Discounts are available for students booking two courses.

Registration

To book your place, please complete the registration form below. Full payment information and booking conditions are provided on the form.

Full name
Number of courses
Price category
Payment option

Payment and booking conditions

Submitting the registration form does not secure a place. A student's place is only confirmed once the required deposit or full payment has been received by Bombo Productions.

Payment information

Please use the payment link provided to make your payment. (Add your existing Monzo payment links here.)

Booking and cancellation terms and conditions

Payment and booking information

The early-bird booking deadline is 31 January 2027.

During the early-bird booking period, you can secure your place with a non-refundable deposit of £100 for one course or £150 for two courses.

After 31 January 2027, the full standard course fee is payable at registration. Deposits are no longer accepted.

Early-bird deposit payments

Single course – £100 deposit
Pay £100 deposit

Two courses – £150 deposit
Pay £150 deposit

Outstanding early-bird balances

If you have already paid your deposit, you can pay the remaining balance using the appropriate link below.

Single course – £110 remaining balance
Pay £110 balance

Two courses – £220 remaining balance
Pay £220 balance

Full course payments

After the early-bird deadline, the full standard course fee must be paid at registration.

Single course – £260
Pay £260 full course fee

Two courses – £470
Pay £470 full course fee

Important booking conditions

Submitting a registration form does not secure your place. Your booking is confirmed only once the required deposit or full payment has been received.

All deposits are non-refundable.

Your outstanding balance will also be shown in your registration summary and confirmation email. Any remaining balance is calculated on the assumption that your selected initial payment has been received.

We look forward to welcoming you to our courses!

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Gary Wallace profile picture
Gary Wallace
3 months ago
I've been attending courses with Vicky and Dave for over 15 years now, most recently Camp Iroko, and it's always one of the highlights of the year for me. Not only do they have a huge knowledge of afro-cuban music and culture, the courses are genuinely welcoming to all levels of musician - from professional percussionists to hobbyists to those who have only just started on the journey - giving everyone a chance to play and perform together. Roll on the next one!
Manicon Pillai profile picture
Manicon Pillai
7 months ago
Great Cuban percussion drumming , Taught by Vicky and David. Learned drumming techniques on the Conga, as well as other instruments. A great atmosphere , with lessons on hand techniques, timing, rythm, counting beats and clapping . We got to also play other persussion intstruments. Thank you Bombo Productions.
sitali mushemi profile picture
sitali mushemi
9 months ago
Had an amazing time in Cuba, many thanks to Bomboproductions. Barely speak Spanish and thought I couldn’t sing. Took a few hours for the gifted team, Vicky and Dave to break my mental barriers. Am a new person so thankful 😌
Nathan Wright profile picture
Nathan Wright
9 months ago
Magnificent! Vicki and David are an absolutely undeniable inspiration to all of the people they connect with through their service. Curating truly unforgettable experiences in pursuit of knowledge and connection through music. Already looking forward to my next experience with them.
Bristol Afro-Cuban Collective profile picture
Bristol Afro-Cuban Collective
9 months ago
Going to Cuba with Vicky, Dave and the whole group, has been a once in a life time opportunity, the memories of which will stay forever. Vicky and Dave have a wealth of experience in Cuba, knowing how to live and get around in Havana. The accommodation met all needs and the music course they organised was a lot of fun. We got to know a lot of very lovely and talented musicians, learned a wide range of musical material and had a great time getting to know everyone in the group. That's before getting to the insane amount of incredible live music on! Perhaps the most special of all the experiences was having the opportunity to meet and play with some amazing people from the Lucumi community, due to the long term relationship Vicky and Dave have with them. We were all warmly welcomed and treated so well. It was sad to see the struggles people are facing due to the political scene right now. Black outs and the water being cut off seemed to be a regular occurrence. But life doesn't stop in Habana, people find away around these problems and the challenges didn't stop us from doing what we wanted to do either. I would highly recommend this trip!
Gaspar Sena profile picture
Gaspar Sena
9 months ago
Some of the most wonderfully kind and generous people I’ve ever met. Truly experts in their field of Afro-Cuban music but also experts in their ability to bring people together, create a nurturing learning environment, cater to the needs of the individual as well as the group, and leave everyone involved wanting much much more. Their classes are well organised, the trips abroad, and residential percussion and singing camps are brilliant. The best place to learn about Afro-Cuban folkloric music for beginners to advanced players anywhere.
David Rahman profile picture
David Rahman
2 years ago
Wonderful, inspiring teachers! Dave and Vicky are experts in cuban music and are so generous with their time and knowledge. They really care about building a community of passionate musicians. With them you don't just learn rhythmic patterns; you will learn a repertoire of music that you can get together with others and actually PERFORM!
Karen Steadman profile picture
Karen Steadman
3 years ago
I attended Coro de Clave which is a magical bringing together of people from around Europe to sing the most beautiful Afro Cuban songs. Vicky and Dave impart their vast knowledge to the group in an accessible way, meaning that newcomers are able to join alongside more experienced singers. Makes me feel full of love every time and walking into a room of old friends from Spain, London, Oxford, Scotland etc feels like the best reunion ever.
Loz Speyer profile picture
Loz Speyer
3 years ago
These classes are great. Dave and Vicky cultivate a real communal experience which is what this music is all about. They bring many years' knowledge of Afrocuban rhythms and songs, and have a way of teaching at multiple levels at once so that everyone gets challenged and everyone is able to contribute to the whole. recommended!
Federica Fusco profile picture
Federica Fusco
4 years ago
I have been attending many percussion courses with Bombo productions over the past few years. Yesterday, we completed the Batà Course. We learnt how to play multiple toques on different drums, learning rhythmic sequences, conversations and variations, hand techniques, developing coordination, autonomy and important patterns for future improvisation. We learn how the rhythms fit with the singing and the clave. All sessions are filmed and shared privately so that you can practice at home and be ready for the next class. Dave is an amazing teacher with huge passion, knowledge and patience. Vicky is a great musician, singer and a very inspiring thinker. They both make this learning experience special and I am so grateful for this. This course was also for me a chance to know more people who share a similar attitude towards art, music and life. I met very special people there. Vicky and Dave also organise music nights in London where anyone can play and apply what you have learnt in a wider context and with other amazing musicians! So it's clear that I highly recommend bombo production to all amateurs and professional musicians :D
Geoff Baker profile picture
Geoff Baker
4 years ago
Vicky and Dave are true experts in Cuban music, but their courses are accessible and everyone is made to feel welcome, whatever their background, so the group is very diverse. They are great teachers – highly knowledgeable and keen to make good music, yet always with a smile and a laugh. The music is gorgeous (they make their own arrangements, so you can only get it here!) and the atmospheric rehearsal space adds to the charm. Highly recommended!
Adam robinson profile picture
Adam robinson
4 years ago
It's rare to find anyone as knowledgeable as Dave and Vicky. It's even more rare to find people who are as generous and welcoming. Anyone who has an interest in Afro Cuban music will be able get involved, learn and be pushed just enough - regardless of playing ability. I couldn't recommend their courses/workshops highly enough.
ohad lustigman profile picture
ohad lustigman
4 years ago
Highly recommended for anyone interested in Afro Cuban folkloric music, Bata or Salsa. Dave and Vicky have figured out the perfect formula to share their very deep knowledge in a really fun and relaxed but also intensive and challenging way. In both their online courses and face to face workshops, they are making sure to gently push you a bit further from where you are at -whether a total beginner or an advanced player. Only thing to be aware of is that this might be addictive.
Mariya profile picture
Mariya
5 years ago
Over the past couple of years I have taken a number of courses with Bombo Productions and also attended their folkloric Afro-Cuban percussion retreat in Spain last year and I have to say that learning percussion with Vicky and Dave has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. Dave and Vicky are wonderful teachers and people, who love sharing their knowledge and passion for music. I feel so much joy and gratitude after every class I take with them! Most recently, I attended the Level 2 in-person Salsa course offered by Dave. What I love about Dave’s salsa classes is that we get to learn a bit of each instrument in the percussion section. While I only have congas at home and the congas are (perhaps) the instrument I am most interested in, I always wanted to understand how the congas interact with the other percussion instruments. And I love it that I can now play a bit on the other instruments. And I absolutely love it that when I listen to salsa music, i can now distinctly hear the timbales, the bongos and the congas… it feels great. Thank you, Dave! The other thing I really enjoy about the salsa classes is that we don’t just learn patterns on the instruments, but we apply these to a specific song/arrangement prepared by Dave; as such we also learn to listen to (and play) the breaks, changes in clave, etc. I can’t speak highly enough of Dave and Vicky’s classes – whether these are salsa, batá, rumba or coro. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
simon todd profile picture
simon todd
5 years ago
10/10 Salsa level 2 course! Seriously If you want to learn and understand Salsa music, arrangements, technique and the secrets of this Afro-Cuban music style, Dave Pattman is the man. Over the years I've done workshops with Dave and always been a great and rewarding experience. Very warm, friendly and energetic teacher, with extensive knowledge of this music. Can't recommend the course enough, Sometimes the courses run in a nice little studio in central Hackney or online over a 6 week period. New to online lessons it didn't take long to get into it, you get an upload of the lesson which is great, and the arrangement, with minus one options of instruments. Also Dave encourages you to send in videos of your playing with the tracks , so you really get a lot for your money. Prices are very reasonable for such high level tuition. This side of Havana Bombo productions is the place to go if you want to learn the real essence of Afro Cuban drumming, music and culture.
Dave Longman profile picture
Dave Longman
5 years ago
I attended a level 2 salsa percussion course. The course content was perfect for me as I have covered the basics so many times. In these sessions, we used the patterns to build up 2 different salsa arrangements which was just what I needed - a real-life context in which to play the instruments. This was all supported with shared resources including minus-one tracks to play along at home. There were new patterns/techniques to learn for all the instruments - congas, bongo, timbales and guiro The tutor had a wonderful, relaxed manner and was encouraging and supportive, while also finding ways to push our different ability levels. I would definitely attend another course sometime.