Jo May

Jo originally trained at the Royal College of Music and began her career working with orchestras such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra. A trip to Sidmouth Folk Festival sparked an enthusiasm for traditional music, which led to her interest in West African and Afro-Cuban music, as well as folk music from Europe and the British Isles. She has studied West African drumming and balafon with a number of different teachers, both in England and in Senegal. And she has completed courses in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian percussion with One Voice Music. Jo is an experienced percussion teacher and workshop leader. She spent many years as a peripatetic music teacher in schools, and running a range of exciting rhythm-based workshops with her group, Tapatak. She currently runs African Drumming Workshops and Spoons Workshops for all ages. Jo currently performs with: Against the Grain Stepling WindBeaten As well as doing various other freelance performing work.