Our Team 

We have a wonderful and experienced team  and are pleased to work with some of the finest performers in Australia. It is an honour to have some amazing performers from all around the world.

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Saul Smith

 

SOUL DRUMMER DIRECTOR

Saul has been inspired by the power of rhythm from an early age. As a highly experienced drum and percussion performer, workshop facilitator and teacher, Saul seeks to share his immense passion for music, drumming and life.

At the age of 12 he started playing drum kit and within a few years was performing to audiences around Australia with singer/songwriter Ben Lee (who went on to win 5 Aria awards in 2006). After recording an album on the Beastie Boys’ record label at the age of 18, Saul toured extensively throughout Australia, U.S.A and Japan.

Whilst playing with various local bands in Australia, Saul further developed his knowledge of music and drumming with studies at the Australian Institute of Music. It was during this time that he underwent a deeper training in composition and performance and broadened his knowledge and playing ability in different styles of music. He spent this time developing as a drum and percussion performer alongside numerous different groups and talented musicians.

Saul continued his education at Sydney University where he studied music, social work, sociology and cultural anthropology. Here he developed his communication skills and ability to work with groups and completed 2 degrees.

It was a natural progression that led Saul to start facilitating drumming and music workshops. Over the years he has had significant experience in running corporate and community drumming workshops,  as well as working with disadvantaged youth, people with disabilities and children.

Saul’s passion for drumming and percussion has led him to numerous international journeys. Through these experiences he has had the privilege of immersing himself and studying traditional rhythms and cultures. As well as gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of drumming and music for healing, ritual, celebration and creating communities. His travels have taken him to Guinea, Mali and Ghana (West Africa), Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Brazil (3 times), Cuba, U.S.A, Europe, Japan and all around Australia. In these places he has been able to develop his knowledge and skills as a teacher and performer.

Saul is a natural and passionate facilitator, performer and teacher and has the ability to bring out the best in people. In addition to running Soul Drummer, he is currently performing with various bands in Australia. He has been involved in numerous projects and is currently available for drums and percussion performance, recording and session work.

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Renee Sanderson

 

OFFICE MANAGER

After studying Hotel Management and Music Industry Business, Renee has been working in arts and music administration for 6 years. Her excellent administrative and interpersonal skills combined with her passion for drumming and world music make her the perfect match for the Soul Drummer Team.

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Phil Piper 

 

FACILITATOR / PERFORMER

Phil brings his awesome drumming and teaching talents to the Soul Drummer team. His dynamic facilitation skills and easy going personality make him a highly valued member of our team.

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Emilia Rose

 

DANCE FACILITATOR / PERFORMER

Emilia grew up dancing and has studied and performed many different styles throughout her career. She now specialises in Afro-Brazilian and West African styles as well as playing dun dun (African bass drums). Dance is her number one passion and she is happy to share it with the world.

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Patrick ‘Lucky’ Lartey

 

LEAD DANCER / FACILITATOR

Lucky Lartey is an accomplished dancer and choreographer born and trained in Ghana, West Africa. Lucky is one of Australia’s most dynamic West African performers and is well known for his versatile and high energy dance style. Lucky has more than 15 years of dance training in traditional African dance, Afro-contemporary and contemporary dance. He received an award this year at the Celebration of African Australian award at the parliament house in Canberra.

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Thiass Mbaye

 

FACILITATOR / PERFORMER

Having come from a traditional musician’s family in Senegal, Thiass is a welcome member of the Soul Drummer team. His powerful, dynamic style of drumming and great personality and charisma always keep audiences entertained and engaged.

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Josh Oshlack

 

FACILITATOR / PERFORMER

Josh has been a musician for over 20 years and has facilitated community and corporate drum circles for 10 years. His performances are high energy and he has a great skill of building rapport with any audience. He has also had many years of experience working in the corporate sector as a corporate educator/trainer, which equips him with the necessary skills of bringing out the best in people, whether in a community environment or corporate environment.

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Carl Bentley

 

DJ / DRUM PERFORMER/ FACILITATOR

Carl became passionate about playing the drums at an early age and his musical journey has taken him through many genres in live & electronic music. Fusing an innate sense of rhythm with experiences traveling & playing music in Asia and the Middle East, Carl is adept at DJing for weddings, birthdays, club nights & private parties. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in bringing great music to great events.  He loves creating the perfect mood for each occasion.

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Johan Rahman

 

PERFORMER / FACILITATOR

Johan is one of the newest members of the Soul Drummer team and his presence, enthusiasm and skills have been a welcome addition. An experienced teacher and performer, Johan begun his professional career at the age of fifteen. His passion for world music and rhythms have seen him perform and facilitate both here in Australia and internationally.

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Contact us for a quote

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