Our
Team
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.
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 Ghana and Mali (West Africa), South Africa, Zimbabwe, Brazil, 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 workshops and tuition, 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.
Swarna
Taylor - Facilitator / Creative Director
Swarna has an immense love for music and dance. She has a great talent for working with people and running Children's and youth groups. She has studied traditional African dance, singing and drumming in West Africa and brings her unique talents to our performances and workshops. Her awesome skills and energy are a welcome addition to the Soul Drummer team.
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.
Aicha Keita - Dancer, Teacher, Drum Performer, Singer
Aicha was born in Mali and raised in Conakry, Guinea. She has been dancing from the age of 7 years old and is extremely passionate about her culture and artform. She is a highly talented artist and has been working and touring the World as a professional dancer and teacher for many years. Aicha, although originally trained in traditional Guinean dance, has also danced other African styes including Senegalese Sabar and Zulu traditional forms. She is also familiar with Western forms including Hip-Hop and Contemporary Dance. Aicha's passion for dance continues to thrive and this is evident in her vivacious and high-spirited dancing & teaching style.
For any enquiries contact us. Or to find out what's on, check out our News section.
"Heal your Soul through Soul Drumming"
