Spiderflower
CENTRE FOR EARTH-ENGAGED PERFORMANCE RESEARCH
Tongues in the Flowering Tree
Research & Presentation Site
KIRBY
Percussive Director
"The sound of the drum offers us consolation, reminds us of our original belonging and brings us back into rhythm with our own secret signature"
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On the back of her dance career, Kirby discovered the drum in the early 90’s. With extensive studies in West African and Afro-Cuban music and gaining a diploma in the Therapeutic & Educational Application of the Arts in 2002, Kirby has spent over 25 years learning how to impart some of the intricacies, the joy and the spirit of drumming music as a source for healing and empowerment.
She specializes in rhythms from West Africa on primarily Djembe and Djun Djun, but after spending a year in Ghana, gained knowledge of Ewe Drumming too. She also studied rhythms and songs from Cuba on Congas and Bata.
Kirby believes passionately in the magical qualities of the drum, using its ancient vibration to provide the bedrock for transformation, celebration, unity and connection to the universal source.
A valued member of the drumming community within the UK, Kirby's work and dynamism has reached far and wide.
She is founder and director of Dance Music Arts Collective UK (DMAC UK), an Arts based organisation in Bristol that runs 2 vibrant studios hosting a huge range of Dance, Martial Arts, Yoga and Drumming classes. They have strong out reach programs in Education with innovative and cutting edge approaches to Black and Global History, residencies in schools with Music and Martial Arts and they are currently one of the fore runners in Bristol looking at Social Prescription, Arts for Health and bespoke Wellness Journeys as an alternative approach to holistic well being, to encourage social inclusion, promote self-care and to build resilience within the community.
Alongside this, Kirby currently teaches drumming to over 100 children per week in Bristol schools, and runs a thriving weekly adults class for beginners and intermediates. Her forte is in her ability to bring instant rhythm out of individuals in a safe and integral way, using humour and dynamism to inspire and empower, nurturing and supporting the expression of our individual rhythms to build self-esteem, confidence and creating a sense of belonging and community cohesion.
Outreach projects include the The Forgiveness Project where Kirby uses drums to work with young offenders and women on probation looking at the nature of forgiveness and the sharing of life stories as a musical expression. She is also pioneering an Arts based project in a Women’s prison where she is using Drum, Dance, Song and Ceremony to work with trauma, exclusion, disassociation and detachment.
Kirby also supports recording artists and performing arts groups to include music artist Celestine, and performs with Tolokotolo, Cascada, Atabei and Inahwe.
Kirby plays for dancers in traditional styles - and also plays for sheer abandoned expression. She’s played upon mountains, inside caves, around roaring fires and in stone circles from sunset to sunrise and is renowned for releasing laughter and joy from the deepest of places!
Often in partnership with Afra Bell, Kirby has worked alongside Rowan for Spiderflower: Contemporary Earth Dance since 1999 and it is through this longstanding creative relationship she possesses in-depth understanding of Spiderflower's approach.
As percussive director for Tongues in the Flowering Tree, Kirby brings to the project an incredible talent along with a wealth of knowledge and experience.