We're excited to introduce a great team of instructors and facilitators:
Cheri Bunker has always had a love for recreational music making and because of this has become a Remo HealthRHYTHMS facilitator. Cheri facilitates the Remo HealthRHYTHMS, evidence based wellness protocol, involving empowerment drumming to help people experience healing, stress relief and fun through percussion. Cheri has been practicing the healing arts for over 10 years and along with drum training she has received certifications as a Medical Technologist, Aromatherapist, and Reiki Master/Teacher. With these certifications and interests Cheri enjoys being a presenter or volunteering her services at health retreats and conferences such as the Banner Health Thriving and Surviving Retreat for cancer survivors and the Integrative Medicine Conferences. Cheri also founded her own company Scentsual Aromatherapy out of her love for aromatherapy and environment friendly products. She has combined this love with drumming in a class called DrumScents.
Deborah Cuneo is a drummer and facilitator/teacher at the WDC. She has performed with Drumheart since 1997 playing Surdo, Assiko and Dun Dun Drums as well as hand percussion. Deborah developed and taught MoonSong Drum Circle, a class on the creation of drumcircles. She also facilitates drumcircles, has lead the Ubaka Hill Drumsong group, currently is leading the Elder drumcircles and has done outreach work with girls through the WDC. The evolving women’s drum tradition in North America, the role of anchor drums in ensemble and the ceremonial/spiritual/community aspects of drumming have been an inspiration for her.
Marisa Cuneo-Linsly has been a part of the DrumHeart ensemble since 1995 performing on the snare, Conga, Djembe, and Kpanlogo drums and other percussion instruments. She has taken private lessons as well as attending several workshops including a weekend retreat, “Drum Happening”, in the Catskills. Marisa became the interim leader of DrumHeart in its 2008 and part of its 2009 seasons and coordinated, produced and co-led the WDC 2008 and 2009 spring concerts which featured DrumHeart. Her enthusiasm for drumming, dance and music led her to give back to the Women’s Drum Center community by helping others begin their journey with drums.
Bonnie Hering received a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music(CCM) in Cincinnati, OH where she performed in various musical ensembles. In 2002 Bonnie toured with the Glassman Drum and Bugle Corps playing marimba in the front ensemble. She was a member of the Atlanta-based percussion group, Chix with Stix, in 2005-6. In the past eight years she has performed with numerous independent ensembles as well as a cover band, taught private students and worked with high school and college groups. A St. Paul resident, Bonnie facilitates classes and workshops, teaches privately and works with various drumlines in the Twin Cities and performs with local theater groups.
Jill James started her drumming journey 20 years ago with a snare drum in Symphonic Band. While studying theatre and music at the University of MN Duluth she was introduced to the world of Jazz kit drumming, African and Cuban hand drumming and a variety of percussion ensembles. She has conducted Family Drum Circles and hand drumming technique classes at the Center for Performing Arts in Minneapolis and the WDC. Most recently she has been performing and recording with singer/songwriter Colleen Buckman and performing keyboards with The soul group Robinson and Caruso.
Kari Kjome, percussionist and composer, was the Music Director of Drumheart ensemble from 2001 - 2009. Since 2000 she has taught at the Women’s Drum Center where she taught custom classes, Women Who Groove, and Intro to Hand Drumming as well as private lessons and facilitated the weekly “Wednesday Hand Drum Group”.
Kari’s experience includes a wide range of styles including jazz, blues, folk, rock, Celtic, Brazilian, Middle Eastern and Ghanian. She has performed with many local groups including The Collective, Pimentos for Gus, Broomfield Hill, Hayor Bibimma, Pachamama and Muses Mill. She has been involved in several local theater productions such as in the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, BareBones Productions and the Feile Brid annual festival.
