John Proctor

About the Artist:

John Proctor owns and operates Earth Tones Studio in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada.  He builds and teaches workshops on drum making for a variety of drums including Djembe, Taiko, Ashiko and Frame drums as well as percussion instruments crafted from Hard Shelled Gourds, PVC and wood.  He also facilitates drumming and soundscapes for those who respond to the call and the dance of the drum beat.  John is a certified Roots of Rhythm teacher and he provides an innovative cross-curricular program that offers training to both teaching professionals and students in fundamental rhythms and instrument making both ancient and modern.  He combines his skill as a Royal Conservatory of Music Artist Educator graduate and his Roots of Rhythm training to make the cross curriculum concept effective and relevant, using detailed lesson plans and classroom management techniques. He is a member of the Canadian Gourd Society, a winning competitor in their contests and mentors and teaches workshops for the Society

About His Art:

The resonators for the hard shelled gourd drums and rattles are provided by nature, the skins, rings, rope are provided by John. Drum shells made from wood and other materials are obtained from source Countries like Pakistan, Ghana, Cuba, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Canada, and U.S.  The completion of the instrument is made by adding skin, rope, rings, and jingles. Recycled instruments are made from found materials, (PVC, wood) usually from roadside construction, or homebuilding sites.  All other materials are added to the recycled item to produce the desired instrument.  Didgeridoo, rattle, guiro, drums of all shapes and sizes.Occasional painting, carving, pyro engraving work is artfully contributed by John’s wife, Dani.

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