Adam Rugo

Saint Louis, MO
ph: 314-369-5855
adam@adamrugo.com

My Music

My musical career has led me down some interesting paths:

Music with Children

Circus Music

Music Education

African and Afro-Cuban Percussion

Guitar - rock, folk, jazz

Musical Theater

Dance Accompaniment

Sound Design/Sound Effects

Instrument Building

Circus Music
For the last nine years, I have been Music Director for Circus Harmony, a non-profit organization that mentors youth through circus arts. I compose and arrange the music, play guitar, percussion, and lead the 7-piece band. The first CD of my original tunes for the circus, ASCENSION, will be available for purchase soon.
African Percussion
I began studying West African percussion in 1991 and have studied with a variety of master drummers, including Ladji Camara, Mamady Keïta, Famoudou Konate, Abdoul Doumbia, Madou Dembele, and Bolokada Konde. I studied and stayed with a family in Côte d'Ivoire in 2000. I have over 14 years experience as accompanist for master African dancers Diadié Bathily and Karol Ababa. Currently, I teach the African Percussion Ensemble course at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park.
I am the author of a 2-CD set of play-along djembe ensemble tracks, called "Let's Play Djembe, volumes 1 & 2." Copies available. Email me to place an order.
Music with Children
Since 1999, I have been making music with children. As a freelance music educator, I have been represented by Springboard to Learning, Young Audiences of St. Louis, and now by Springboard, Inc. I was the pre-school music specialist at The Family Center of Clayton for three years. My music offerings for children involve movement, singing with guitar, body percussion, found object music, and drumming. The children call me "Mister Tingalayo"!
Musical Theater
I have contributed music to a number of theater pieces, including:
- sound design for Metro Theater Company's Kevin Klein Award-winning play, Delilah's Wish.
- composing and performing music for Metro Theater's productions of Stix & Stonz, New Kid and Iceman.
- pit orchestra guitarist for Stray Dog Theater's productions of Tommy, Spring Awakening, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Evil Dead, The Great American Trailer Park Musical, and The Butterfingers Angel (of which I was also Music Director).
- pit orchestra guitarist for New Line Theater's production of Hands on a Hardbody.
** I will appearing in Stray Dog Theater's production of The Great American Trail Park Christmas Musical in December, 2014.
Dance Accompaniment
15 years experience as djembe accompanist for African dance teachers Diadié Bathily and Karol Ababa at Washington University and at COCA. Also worked with modern and belly dancers.
Music Education
Besides teaching djembe, batá, and conga drumming, I also teach guitar, voice, and basic music theory. I have integrated music into the science curriculum at area elementary schools, writing songs and raps about photosynthesis, the Apollo space program, and the giant redwoods. I have taught music courses to adults at COCA and Washington University.

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