Founded by Donald Skoog, Contemporary Music Project is a community exploring rhythm, movement, drumming and dance.
As much a social as academic endeavor, we present programs, publish books and music, and host classes in our independent school, located just outside of Chicago in Oak Park, IL.
From beginner, intermediate to expert, we are patient, gentle and enthusiastic, helping each other inform and deepen our emersion in the world of drum and dance through study, performance and travel.
Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Irish drumming
Our focuses in recent decades include Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Irish drumming and dance traditions.
Among others, we are informed by James Dutton, Vida Chenoweth, Gordon Stout, Karl Husa, Roberto Vizcaino, José Eladio, Rich Gajate Garcia, and Alejandro Carvajal.
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Ensembles
Chicago Arabic Music Ensemble
Majed Abu Ajamia, qanun/vocals
Kim Fleuchaus, nay/flute
Hannah Vis, cello
Don Skoog, percussion
Middle Eastern Dance Performance
Raices Gitanas Flamenco Ensemble
Thomas Kimball—guitar and vocals
Hector Salcedo—bass
Don Skoog—percussion
Student Ensembles
CMP offers ongoing classes and ensembles in Latin percussion, Cuban batá drumming, and Middle Eastern percussion. We have classes for drummers at all levels from beginner through advanced.
Percussion Lessons
If you don’t live in the Chicago area, we also conduct private lessons and ensembles over Zoom and FaceTime!