Adriano Adewale delivers workshops and master classes in percussion and for all ages and abilities. Workshops can be tailored to the needs of your group and be a one off or regular sessions.

Adriano is also a tutor for the learning and participation organisation Create Arts.

If you would like more information about the workshops Adriano can provide please contact Fiona Mason on 01206 825600 fiona@segue.org.uk

Create Arts Workshop

"One of the most enjoyable world music workshops we've staged in recent years. The children were totally captivated by Adriano's music and both pupils and teachers had a fantastic time."
Venue feedback on workshop, Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, April 2008

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Article published in re:create (December 2006) Visit the Create Arts Website for more information

This autumn, Brazilian percussionist, Adriano Adewale joined Create's team of artists.  He sees music as a great way of encouraging young people to engage with different cultures.

Adriano grew up in São Paulo, Brazil.  He started learning to play the drums when he was fifteen, after seeing a band perform at a party:

"The music just hit me so strongly.  I knew I wanted to be there, I wanted to be involved with it."

Eager to experiment with new sounds, Adriano soon added more instruments to his repertoire, including the piano and recorder.  He went on to study music at UNESP (São Paulo University) and, since graduating, has performed at renowned music venues across Europe and collaborated with highly-acclaimed artists from around the globe.

One of the most enriching experiences of his career so far involved a trip to Nigeria, where he traced his family roots and explored how African rhythms and choreography have informed the development of Brazilian music.  During this trip, he made the decision to replace his family slave name Da Silva Pinto with Adewale, meaning "lost brother come home".

For Adriano, his journey of discovery highlighted music's power to teach people about the world, different cultures and their influences on one another. 

This October, Create's ArtsExtravaganza gave him a chance to put this power into action by taking Tanzanian and Brazilian music and dance to 8-11 year olds at Grasmere Primary School in Hackney.  Adriano relished the opportunity to open children's minds to other cultures.  Swahili lyrics were incorporated into the music and children were introduced to new instruments and playing techniques. 

Adriano recalls one boy in particular who discovered a passion for the Tanzanian flute.  He had been finding it hard to concentrate at school but as soon as he heard the flute he was mesmerised.  He had never heard anything like it before and his attitude completely changed as he started to listen and became keen to learn how to play it.  He was given a solo part at the final performance and now has his own Tanzanian flute at home!

Adriano loves the opportunity Create gives him to help young people to express themselves, discover new talents and gain a sense of self-worth:

"Music empowers people.  The confidence children gain during Create's projects can be applied to all other areas of their life."

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