The Village

Calvin Climie

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:01:35 +0000

“Leo connects with the students on many levels. He knows their need to have fun, so he engages them. He knows they need to learn technique; he breaks it down so that they get it. He knows they need to be creative, so he helps them try out new things. He knows they need to feel good about their efforts, and because he values their attempts, his encouragement paves the way to their success.”

- Calvin Climie, Grade 6 teacher, Knoxdale Public School

Nathan Toft

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:01:11 +0000

Having Leo at our school has become an annual event that the kids and teachers look forward to. Not only is he an accomplished musician and drum craftsman, he has an excellent rapport with the students. We look forward to his next visit.”

Nathan Toft, Grade 5 teacher – Barhaven, ON

Jim Montgomery

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:00:52 +0000

“Leo Brooks is great teacher – organized and patient – with a real depth of knowledge about music, drum lore and culture. What makes him really outstanding is that he is a great communicator, a talented performer, and a network builder. Leo has taken the initiative of advocating for the drumming community and keeping us... [Continue Reading]

Katie Downey

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:00:29 +0000

“Leo Brooks has worked with our organization in a variety of programs serving children and youth with special needs. We use his drumming sessions as a way to increase communication skills and provide another outlet for recreation participation. His sessions have been very successful in meeting these goals, and Leo is terrific with the participants! He sees the person first and works with the staff and the participants to develop the session to meet the individual needs. He is very receptive to feedback and provides a structured and educational program within a relaxed, fun, and positive atmosphere.”

-Katie Downey, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Ottawa Children’s Treatment Centre

Judith Frederick

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:59:58 +0000

“Leo is the best damn drum teacher in the Ottawa Valley. His classes are fun and challenging. He has books and CDs to practice on your own. He also teaches rhythms that you can play along with your favourite CDs. Leo’s classes are always filled with significant insights and happy drummers. No matter what kind of day you had, you go home happy. It is better than Yoga.”

- Judith Frederick, Ottawa, ON

Liz Mordue

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:59:28 +0000

“Having never played an African drum in my life, understandably I was somewhat apprehensive and nervous about taking lessons…… I need’t have been. Classes with Leo were always heaps of fun – his gift for teaching, his talent as a drummer and his ease with people is truly amazing. I learned lots, had heaps of fun, and was sad when the classes ended. I look forward to the next.”

– Liz Mordue, Ottawa, Ontario

Samuel Steinberg

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:58:56 +0000

“As a humble student of rhythmn, I’ve had the good fortune of participating in a number of workshops, retreats, and study over the years. For those of us who were not introduced to the. 6\8 bell patern in the womb, Leo’s outlook, approach, and sensitivity genuinely makes up for those lost years. While he might not be as funny as he thinks he is ; ) I don’t know of a better drum teacher, facilitator or builder in eastern Canada. Simply put, Leo is ‘completo’ “.

- Samuel Steinberg, Ottawa, Ontario

Conrad Pereira

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:58:31 +0000

“Leo is an excellent teacher. He makes it fun and easy to learn complex rhythms while sharing his fascinating insight into the culture behind the rhythms. I highly recommend his classes for all levels but specially for beginning and intermediate drummers.”

– Conrad Pereira, Ottawa, Ontario

Ken Walker

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:58:04 +0000

“Leo is an excellent instructor and mentor when it comes to learning percussion. He has a knack for breaking down complicated rhythms and concepts so that the whole class can ramp up to play a complicated piece. I started to learn African Drumming from Leo and he’s aways been there to advance my skills through classes and by bringing in other instructors. He also assisted in getting our group Kunundrum started and has been a great asset for us when learning new songs and playing at our performances. I can’t imagine Ottawa’s drumming community without Leo in the picture.”

– Ken Walker, Ottawa, Ontario

Caitlin Crockard

leo — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 06:57:13 +0000

“I didn’t even want to play the drums. The thought terrified me, actually. But my regular West African dance teacher, Shara Weaver, was now including drumming in her dance classes, so I bravely signed up and soon found a djembe between my knees. I tapped it tentatively at first. But Leo’s incredibly patient and always-upbeat instruction soon made me, and the rest of class, able to accompany a whole group of dancers. Now, at the start of every new class term, I look forward to starting from the basics and building up a rhythm that we can all play together. I’m not terrified anymore. I dare say I’ve even come to like the drumming as much as the dancing!”

– Caitlin Crockard, Ottawa, Ontario