Liz Broscoe
(Bio)
With a professional drumming career spanning thirty years, Liz Broscoe's diverse rhythmic adventures began at the early age of ten. Growing up in New York, when music was part of curriculum, Liz nurtured the dream of one day having a career as a drummer. Despite frequent comments such as "girls don't play drums," her desire and determination grew stronger in her teens after seeing one of the first popular female drummers, Karen Carpenter, perform on TV.
With help from her older sister, Liz bought her first drum set at 16 and was playing professionally at 18. She attended Central Washington University as a Percussion Performance Major for 3 years.
In 1986, Liz enjoyed playing gigs in Lake Tahoe, however, within a few years, ventured to the San Francisco Bay Area where she continued to work as a “solid” drummer in the Blues Clubs. It was during this time Liz was introduced to the Afro-Cuban conga. Friends convinced her to accompany them during a dance class. Intrigued by the drum and dance connection, she later pursued lessons with Jorge Bermudez.
With the offer of a steady gig in Lake Tahoe, Liz returned to the Lake. Eventually, seeking greater challenges and opportunities, she moved to Nashville, TN where she recorded for up and coming original artists on drums and percussion. During a workshop in Nashville, Liz heard the West African djembe drum for the first time and fell in love with it. She later sought out classes from Master Drummers Mamady Keita, Famoudou Konate and a list of others. However, the beauty of Lake Tahoe always seemed to pull Liz back to her shores, and it is where she now calls home.
Upon returning to Lake Tahoe, she met and teamed up with guitarist, singer/song writer, and producer Wesley Orsolic. Their original project, "Raw Nature," released two albums. Since 2000, Liz has taught West African djembe and dunun drums, Afro-Cuban conga, and drum set classes at Lake Tahoe Community College and independent classes in the Reno/Carson/Truckee/Tahoe Area.
Through her company, Drumchik Productions, Liz offers a variety of adult classes and workshops, children's educational programs, performances and inspirational presentations. The West African djembe, also known as the "Unity drum,” is her first choice for group classes. Not only is it the most portable and popular but extremely fun and engaging. The West African rhythms are delightful.
Emphasizing history, cultural awareness, community, and the importance of music curriculum in schools, her show "DURGA" (Drums Unite Race & Gender Alike), and her drum and dance troupe Java Djembe, have reached thousands in the Reno/Carson/Truckee/Tahoe area. Liz has been grant funded by Tahoe Arts Project, Nevada Arts Council, Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation and El Dorado Community Foundation.
Throughout her drumming career, Liz's interest and practice has grown deeper and stronger in the direction of many drums and cultures. She now recognizes and respects where the original roots of drumming come from and how important it is to acknowledge these influences in present day. Through teaching and performing, Liz always strives to not only present the history of the drum, but to also bring greater awareness to its original purpose and intention of unifying all people and creating community.
Liz is the author of two books:
"Djembe 101," an instructional book, DVD, and play-along CD for the West African djembe drum.
"Adventures of Durga," a children's book.
Drumchik Productions is based out of Lake Tahoe, CA - elevation 6,200 ft., where drumming is experienced on a high level.