School of Music

Contact Information
Office   Denton Hall Room 156
Email   ken.shorley@acadiau.ca

Interests and Expertise: 

• Areas of specialty – Global rhythm and drumming traditions (esp. South Indian, Turkish, Arab, Western European, Indonesian).
• Indonesian Gamelan (specifically Sundanese Gamelan Degung).  
• Rhythmic musicianship and training – Pan-global Frame Drumming.
• Global rhythm and drumming traditions (esp. South Indian, Turkish, Arab, Western European, Indonesian).  
• Inner Time (a cross-cultural study of how musicians learn and teach rhythmic flow, awareness, and technique).  
• Applications and influences of Carnatic (South Indian classical) rhythm theory across a variety of global music. 

Community & Ensemble Involvement: 

• ASHK (global music ensemble with Sahara Nasr, Kamila Nasr, and Ariana Nasr). Sahara Jane (global fusion duo). Zhorli (my electronic music alter-ego!) and OMBAK Gamelan (Atlantic Canada's first professional gamelan ensemble)
• I have collaborated on projects with local community organizations such as VCLA (Valley Community Learning Association) and Music In Communities.  I appreciate what both of these hard-working groups are offering in the Annapolis Valley.  I have also served on the board of Wolfville's Al Whittle Theatre. I love that this space has become such a vibrant community arts hub in Wolfville over the last 20 years. 

Fun Fact: 

• I enjoy hands-on, experiential sessions/workshops/classes, and feel fortunate that both my classes (World Rhythm and Drumming and Intro to Gamelan) allow me to teach in the way I like to learn!
• I have a YouTube channel where I teach people about rhythm, drumming, and percussion.