Rippowam African Drum & Dance Group
The Rippowam African Drum & Dance Group is a traditional percussion ensemble of middle school drummers, dancers and singers, taught and directed by Brian Rizzi.
Picture Slideshow
first show
Our first performance featured 3 rhythms from Ghana: Kinka, Agbekor Vulolo and Kpanlogo.
You can listen to individual tracks or the full set with over 20 minutes of non-stop drumming!
Full Set: Introduction, Kinka, Agbekor Vulolo, Kpanlogo
Kinka
Agbekor Vulolo
Kpanlogo
Gota
The Rippowam Middle School African Drum Dance & Dance Group performed Slow & Fast Gota from Ghana as part of our 2019 Diversity Day Celebration.
Here's just the fast section of Gota with some zoomed in shots.
Here's the entire performance of slow and fast Gota.
We were on the news for this one too! CLICK HERE
kpanlogo
The Rippowam African Drum Dance & Dance Group performs Kpanlogo from Ghana.
This performance was part of our 2018 Diversity Day Celebration.
Rehearsing Kpanlogo - Picture Slideshow
Gahu
The Rippowam African Drum & Dance Group performs Gahu from Ghana.
This performance was part of our 2015 Diversity Day Celebration.
Tokwe
The Rippowam African Drum & Dance Group performs Tokwe from Ghana.
This performance was part of the school's 2016 Black History Celebration.
yankadi/makru
The Rippowam African Drum Dance & Dance Group performs Yankadi/Makru from Guinea.
This performance was part of our 2017 Diversity Day Celebration.
Zimbabwe Marimba Ensemble
We played Zimbabwean-Style marimba music as people entered the auditorium..
Featuring the Zimbabwean Bass Marimba built by Josh Quinn and Brian Rizzi.
Rehearsal outtakes - Putting together a drum & Dance performance
Obatala
This performance was part of the Dolan Middle School 2003 Spring Concert where I taught before Rippowam..