WELCOME ALL!

Welcome to my website, come on in! Here you’ll find out how to play the frame drum, workshop dates & more!

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Roots in Percussion

James Allen, a K-5 level 3 Orff certified music specialist was a featured presenter at the AOSA National conference in 2021, and the elementary headliner for the  2023 NYSSMA conference in Albany this summer.

James presents workshops to Orff chapters, school districts, universities, and state conferences, created a frame drum unit and presented a webinar for Musicplay.com, and wrote an article for "Reverberations" on frame drums. He also freelances as a percussionist.

James obtained a BFA from SUNY Purchase, a Masters in music performance from Yale, and a teaching certificate from CCSU.

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Experience

Meet James

A professional percussionist with experience from Broadway to reggae, James brings his passion for frame drumming and body percussion to his classroom as well as professional workshops. A performer, composer, and educator, James' drumming is a journey of creativity and global sonic experiences. Blending his formal education from SUNY Purchase, Yale, and CCSU with Orff, James will bring a dynamic experience to all who attend his workshops.

Accolades

24 Years teaching elementary music.

  • BFA: SUNY Purchase; MM: Yale; Teaching certificate: CCSU

  • Level 3 Orff trained.

  • Connecticut Orff treasurer, past membership secretary/member-at-large.

  • Published frame drum composer.

  • Workshop presenter: frame drumming/composition.

  • Percussionist for: Broadway tours, regional theater, orchestras, dance classes, jazz trios, reggae groups, Sephardic groups, and singers/songwriters.

Workshop dates.

Stay tuned for updates!

October 1st, 2022

Workshop for KESNE of New England (Kodaly)

October 8th, 2022

Workshop for St.Louis AOSA

October 16th, 2022

Presentation of Orff process to NAFME students @ University of Connecticut

October 26th, 2022

Presentation to music education students @ Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut

February 4th, 2023

Workshop for Reno AOSA

April 29th, 2023

Workshop for Evergreen AOSA

April 1st, 2023

Workshop for Little Rock AOSA

October 20th, 2023

Workshop for Chicago AOSA

February 3rd, 2023

Workshop for Kansas City AOSA

April 6th, 2024

Workshop for Little Rock AOSA


Past Dates.

August 2020

Body Percussion and Frame Drumming, Darien, Connecticut Music department

September 12th, 2020

Connecticut Chapter AOSA Snapshot Saturday workshop:  "Wherever You Go, There's Your Drum!" Virtual

September 23rd, 2020

Workshop for MusicPlayonline: “Put it All Together: Frame Drums, Body Percussion, Composing, and Improvising!”

December 5th, 2020

Long Island American Orff-Schulwerk Association @ Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York "Frame Drums and Tubanos: Perfectly Orff"

October 1st, 2021

Body Percussion and Frame Drums @ Waterbury, Connecticut Music Department

October 16th, 2021

Workshop for Connecticut American Orff Schulwerk Association “Come Together As One As We Move, Create and Drum” @Hartt School of Music, West Hartford, Connecticut

November 2021

"Frame Drums: Perfectly Orff! "AOSA National Conference: Charleston, SC

January 20th, 2022

“Frame drums techniques in the Orff Classroom” Little Rock school district Zoom workshop

March 4th, 2022

“Frame Drums, Etc!” @ Waterbury, Connecticut school district

March 21st, 2022

Presentation of Orff process and frame drum techniques to music students @ Western Connecticut State University

March 31st 2o22

Connecticut Music Educators Association Frame Drums in the Music Classroom @ Hartford, Connecticut

April 3rd, 2022

International Sunday Sharing “Frame drums and Keetman Bricks” Virtual

April 13th, 2022

“Frame Drums, Etc!” @ Waterbury, Connecticut school district

April 14th, 2022

Presentation of Orff process and frame drum techniques to music students @ Central Connecticut State University

september 14th, 2022

Presentation of Orff process to CMEA chapter @ Hartt School of Music

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COME SAY HI

COME SAY HI

Let’s Talk.

Book me here for instruction, presentations, assemblies & lessons!

James@jamesallenpercussion.com


(203) 947-5429