Drum Circle with Ed & Marcus

Drummers and percussionists both new and experienced are welcome to come for a jam and drum circle.  No gear or experience necessary, though you're welcome to bring your personal gear! Join Swallow Hill's percussion instructors, Ed Contreras and Marcus Quintero for this monthly experience! This workshop is free.

Help us get in tune by registering early!
To support our teachers and better accommodate the needs of our classes, we ask that students register at least 24 hours in advance of the class, lesson, and/or workshop.

Ed Contreras

PERCUSSION

A Denver native, Ed has been playing World drums, drum kit, and percussion for over 50 years in various bands and ensembles. His music covers everything from folk, jazz, rock, blues, country, bluegrass, African, Flamenco, Brazilian, Eastern European and Middle Eastern styles. He enjoys teaching and found Swallow Hill to be the perfect place to educate folks about the power and spirituality of music. He teaches World hand drums, such as congas, djembe, cajon, drum kit, and various percussion instruments from many ethnic musics. He loves the outdoors, especially the Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah wilderness. He also is a student of spirituality, and loves reading and watching movies.

First Concert: His first major concert was the progressive rock band Yes at the Denver Coliseum, performing their Tales from Topographic Oceans tour.

What song could you listen to all day long? “You Are” by Pat Metheny

Favorite hangout? Mom & Pop breakfast places, and lots of places outdoors

What is your favorite thing about Swallow Hill, or your favorite Swallow Hill memory? My favorite memories are performing at the Teacher Feature Concerts, watching my son Josiah teach elementary school kids at the summer camps, and working with the Swallow Hill Choir when my wife was the director.

Marcus Quintero

HAND DRUMMING, PERCUSSION

Marcus was born and raised in the Denver area. Marcus began taking had drum lessons at the age of nine at Swallow Hill Music School. He always loved drumming and especially playing for worship services since that time. This being the case, drumming has not just been a hobby but has great spiritual significance in his life. He teaches hand drumming; djembe, congas, cajon, bongos, and various support backup percussion. He also works with repairing and rebuilding hand drums. He loves working with animals and plants at home as well as volunteering for his church. He breeds various reptiles as well as other animals, and especially loves gardening cacti.

First Concert? Tony Melendez 6 years old, 2002. (Mr. Melendez is a guitarist with no arms who plays with his feet!)

What's a song you could listen to all day long? Ride on to Die by Michael Card

Favorite Colorado Hangout? He loves to hang out at the dog park if not at home with his other animals.