Timothy Berry

Timothy Berry began singing in his father’s church at age 5 and has played hand drums since age 12. His eclectic performances include his Afro-Latin band Soul Drums, Grammy Award Winner Larnelle Harris, Leigh Morris Chorale, Paula Mann Dance, Minnesota State University Repertory Dance Theater, Robert Robinson, Traveled Ground, and a series of diverse Master Classes and school presentations that emphasize African American music and history.

In 2009, Timothy was one of seven winners in the Essentially Choral Competition for emerging American composers sponsored by VocalEssence and the American Composers Forum. He has composed music for dance, churches and his Soul Drums group. Timothy is on the VocalEssence WITNESS artist roster, and as a clinician he has conducted workshops for drumming, choral music, and presentations in schools and universities on issues surrounding race, black culture, and race relations.

Timothy has performed nationally as a singer, actor, and percussionist; including August Wilson’s Fences, Penumbra Theatre’s Black Nativity, and La Bohéme with the Minnesota Opera. He has also performed with Grammy Award winner Larnelle Harris. Timothy has recorded music on a variety of CDs, from Gospel to Caribbean including his Soul Drums series, which stems from West African, Caribbean and African American music traditions.

Timothy holds a B.S. Degree in Music Education from Mankato State University and a Master’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in multicultural music from the University of Minnesota. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Educational
Leadership at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Timothy is also the Associate Choral Director at Hopkins High School.

Workshop Description

Utilizing Hannibal Lokumbe’s ideas around In The Spirit of Being, which includes valuing each person and their well being, participants will create a drum/rhythm circle in this workshop. The circle rhythms will be a combination of group rhythms and individual expressions (on drums and other instruments) from each participant to celebrate their being!

To Prepare Students

  • Complete the “Profile – Hannibal Lokumbe: Touching Lives Through Music and Education” on p. 66 of the WITNESS Teacher Resource Guide
  • Explore creating rhythms on percussion instruments and other objects

Please Note:

This workshop works best when there is enough space to accommodate movement and percussion instruments. Optional materials: Orff instruments, percussion instruments.