West African drumming workshops, team building, weekly classes and performances led by Justine Hart.
Based near High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, Hartbeats brings people together through authentic West African djembe and dundun drumming, dance and song. Workshops are available for businesses, schools, SEND settings, care homes, youth organisations, WIs, community groups, private parties, festivals and public events.
Justine founded Hartbeats in 1998 and has more than 28 years of teaching and performing experience. No previous musical experience is needed, and drums are provided.
Team Building | Workshops | Weekly Classes | Performances
Corporate Team Building & Wellbeing
Group drumming is an uplifting and memorable way to bring people together. Each participant contributes an individual rhythm to a shared piece of music, making drumming a natural way to encourage cooperation, communication and awareness of others.
A Hartbeats team-building session can help to:
- Energise and motivate the group
- Encourage positive communication
- Develop listening and cooperation
- Build confidence
- Release tension and break the ice
- Strengthen social connection
- Focus creative energy on a shared goal
Sessions are inclusive and accessible, with no musical experience required. All drums and percussion instruments are provided. Activities can be adapted to suit the group, the available time and the aims of the organisation.
Find out more about corporate drumming and team-building workshops
West African Drumming Workshops for Schools, Care Homes, SEND Settings & Community Groups
Hartbeats provides lively, welcoming and inclusive West African drumming workshops for schools, youth organisations, care homes, SEND settings, community groups, clubs and societies. Every workshop is adapted to the people taking part, the setting and the aims of the organisation.
Sessions usually begin with a short performance on djembe and dundun drums. Participants are then invited to explore the instruments and join in at a pace and level that suits them. Activities can include shared rhythms, call and response, songs, movement, dancing, listening, cultural information and the experience of creating music together.
For schools and groups seeking structured tuition, sessions can develop playing technique, listening, coordination and ensemble skills. Participants may learn complementary djembe and dundun parts that combine to create a traditional West African rhythm. Workshops can be offered as one-off sessions, full activity days or a course of lessons, and school workshops can work towards a performance involving the children.
In care homes, SEND settings and mixed-ability groups, the emphasis can be placed on enjoyment, connection, confidence, self-expression and taking part together. Activities are adapted so that everyone can contribute in their own way, without any pressure to learn or remember a complete drum part. Staff, carers and support workers are welcome to join in too.
No previous musical experience is needed. Hartbeats provides drums in a range of sizes suitable for children, teenagers and adults.
More Than a One-Off Workshop
Hartbeats can provide ongoing school tuition as well as introductory workshops and activity days.
Justine teaches at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Chalfont St Peter every week, working with classes throughout the school day, including a separate advanced session, and leading an after-school group open to pupils in Years 5 and 6. Pupils learn traditional West African rhythms through djembe and dundun parts, call-and-response breaks and ensemble playing.
Their tuition also includes West African dance and dundun dance, which combines choreographed movement with playing the bass drums. As their skills develop, pupils learn a substantial repertoire and gain opportunities to perform at school and public events, sometimes alongside HARTBEATS Drummers.
Weekly West African Drumming & Dance Classes
Djembe and dundun drumming
Join a friendly and welcoming group learning traditional West African rhythms on djembe and dundun drums.
- Learn how to play the djembe, a goblet-shaped hand drum, and dunduns, the accompanying bass drums played with sticks.
- Discover how different drum parts fit together to create exciting West African rhythms.
- Develop your technique, musical confidence, listening skills and coordination.
- Enjoy the positive effects of group drumming, including improved mood, increased social connection and a shared sense of achievement.
- Become part of a community drumming group that has been running in High Wycombe since 1998.
Beginners are very welcome and drums are provided.
West African dance
Learn energetic and expressive West African dance movements accompanied by live drumming. The mixed-level class includes varied movements for whole-body fitness and may also include dundun dancing, which combines dance steps with playing the bass drums. No previous experience is required.
People who attend the classes may also have opportunities to join HARTBEATS Drummers, the performance group led by Justine.
Class locations and times
Tuesdays at the Royal Grammar School
Amersham Hill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP13 6QT
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- Djembe and dundun drumming: 6.30–7.55 pm
- West African dance: 8.00–9.00 pm
Wednesdays at Ellesborough Parish Hall
Ellesborough Road, Butler’s Cross, Aylesbury HP17 0XA
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- Level 1, beginner and intermediate: 6.30–7.40 pm
- Level 2, intermediate: 7.15–8.45 pm
- Level 3, advanced: 7.45–9.30 pm
Pay As You Go and discounted Pay Per Month options are available. Classes are mainly attended by adults. Please contact Justine if you are interested in bringing a child or young person.
Full class information, locations and times
Events, Parties & Performances
HARTBEATS Drummers is the performance group led by Justine Hart. The group performs an exciting repertoire of traditional West African rhythms on djembe and dundun drums. Performances can also include West African dance and opportunities for the audience to join in.
More than a performance
HARTBEATS Drummers can do more than perform for your audience. A performance can be followed by a participatory drumming workshop, giving guests the opportunity to pick up a djembe and become part of the music themselves.
Book a performance, a participatory workshop, or combine both to create an unusual and memorable shared experience.
The number of performers can be adapted to suit the event, from a small group of experienced drummers to a larger community drumming ensemble.
- Festivals and fêtes
- Community celebrations
- Parties and private events
- Cultural and wellbeing events
- Theatre and stage performances
- Corporate events
- Audience-participation workshops
HARTBEATS Drummers have performed at FrogFest, The Beacon Festival, Desborough Carnival and Peace in the Park, as well as at the Wycombe Swan, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and the Elgiva Theatre. Hartbeats has also provided performances, drumming experiences and corporate workshops in London, Birmingham, Reading, Oxford and other parts of the UK.
View HARTBEATS Drummers performances and event information
Book Hartbeats
Hartbeats provides workshops, team-building sessions and performances throughout Buckinghamshire and the surrounding counties, as well as London and other parts of the UK.
Contact Justine Hart to discuss your group, workplace, school, party or event
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