Malicounda’s mission is to build community through the joy of rhythm and harmony and help to create a harmonious learning environment.
Louise Raymond’s personalized approach and the unique, vibrant, and engaging options of Malicounda stand out in their originality.
Malicounda’s founder, Louise Raymond, was fortunate to study with master drummers and dancers from around the world. Louise is extremely grateful and appreciative that she has been able to experience the beauty of dance and the power of rhythm through these generous artists. These studies have greatly expanded Louise’s worldview and life vision. For 30 years, with all her love, Louise has shared her passion and respect for this vital culture, touching the lives of several thousands of people– children, youth, adults, and elders- through rhythm.
The Company was awarded several grants from Arts Start in Vancouver, Foundation for the Arts in Alberta, and Culture in Schools in Québec. Louise is an inspiring presenter and a motivating facilitator and provides a unique, memorable, and dynamic rhythmical experience to all participants!
Malicounda’s workshops can be conducted in English, French, and Spanish.
Meet the Team
Meet our expert musicians in team-building drumming workshops, ready to do whatever it takes to make your business grow.
DERRICK ADAMS
Derrick Adams starting playing and making African style rhythms and drums in Santa Cruz, California in 1995. He has studied drum and dance with many West African master teachers since then. Including two study trips to Senegal. Mali, Guinea, Gambia and Burkina Faso West Africa. He has played in many percussion groups over the years. And is currently the djembe player for In the Sticks drum dance collective. Derrick started making drums with Drumskull Drums in Santa Cruz and has been making them on his own ever since.
JORDAN BECKER
Professional Percussionist
Jordan Becker is a music instructor and percussion performer based in Nanaimo BC. He has over 18 years of experience playing jazz, rock, blues, reggae, samba, country, folk, pop, classical, and heavy metal styles of music.
Rick Becker and his son Jordan
Adjudicator, clinician, educator
Concert Band, Jazz Band
Rick Becker has been a music director in Nanaimo, British Columbia for 27 years. His teaching experiences include concert bands, jazz bands, combos, choirs, and musical theatre. His students have had opportunities to excel in performances at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, the West Coast Jazz Festival, the Vancouver Island Concert Band Festival, and the Comox Valley Concert Band and Choir Festival, as well as performance excursions to Cuba.
He is also co-founder of JazzFest Nanaimo, a showcase for young musicians and guest artists at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. Rick served over 15 years as Brass and Woodwind chairperson for the Mid-Island Performing Arts Festival. Previously, Mr. Becker was music director and music education coordinator for Kelsey School Division in The Pas, Manitoba. His career also led him to a position as an Educational Music representative in Alberta for St. John’s Music, LTD, with a focus on Concert Band literature and band-teaching materials. His Bachelor of Music Education degree is from Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), where he studied tuba performance and conducting. Rick is now enjoying retirement as co-director of the Mid-Island Community Bands Society and as a member of several performance groups as a trombonist and bassist.
Rick and Jordan Becker joined the Malicounda Teams in 2022!
