Donavon LermanDonavon Lerman (doumbek instructor) has been studying, performing and teaching Arabic and West Asian percussion for more than a decade. He has performed worldwide and has accompanied some of the most talented belly dancers in the world including Jillina, Ansuya, Rachel Brice, Zoe and Elizabeth Strong. He is owner of Studio Iqaat in Los Angeles, a venue for belly dance and music events, and is a staunch friend and supporter of Southern California's belly dance community.

His first teacher, Rico Orel, afforded him an introduction to the doumbek (also called the darbuka). Shaped like an hourglass, it rests in the drummer''s lap. It is customarily made of ceramic, its head fashioned from goatskin. Donavon next sought out renowned Lebanese percussionist Souhail Kaspar. The exacting, conservatory-trained Kaspar taught him terms and techniques, building upon his foundation in the instrument.

After five years with Kaspar, Donavon took a class with the Syrian master Faisal Zedan, who eventually adopted the role of coach. Donavon started to meet with him weekly, taking up more intricate styles of play. Zedan taught him how to put what he'd learned into practice, "how to make words, sentences and poetry, and how musical ideas and phrases become complete."

Donavon later decided to form an ensemble that would familiarize people with the doumbek and Arabic percussion in general, a group that would perform at parties, festivals and even in people's homes. He invited Zedan to join him in this endeavor. The new ensemble was called Youm it Talaata - Arabic for "Tuesday," the day Donavon received his weekly instruction from Zedan.

As he developed his skills, Donavon also began working with dancers. He says the interaction is reminiscent of the Indian form in which every note of the drum is matched by a movement of the dancer. He enjoys demonstrating how this works, exploring the connections among the music, the dancer and the audience.

In addition to sharing his love of the drum with audiences, Donavon has developed an interest in ethnomusicology, amassing an archive devoted to contemporary dobbat iqaa—officers of rhythm, the Arabic term for percussionists. He compiles information about the prominent players in the genre, and videos of them playing, and posts them on the Internet. This burgeoning library can be found at iqatt.com. He and Zedan have traveled to Turkey together to research, interview and record drummers. He has also spent time in Egypt and Morocco and hopes to travel throughout the Arab world.

Visit iqatt.com.