DRUMMER CAFE

Vincent,

    I am also looking into studying with a foreign teacher in a foreign country. My two main options right now are Cuba and Brazil, as they are two countries where some great drumset adaptations have come out of. My suggestion is to Search the heck out of the internet. Look up schools, find names of great percussionists from the countries that interest you and search for them to see where those players are currently living and/or teaching.
    After two weeks of research I now have a high quality teacher lined up in Rio de Janero using those two simple methods.
    Another thing I did was I emailed all the top schools in the US. I asked the drum and percussion teachers about my options and I received emails from a few with very useful information as some of them have also studied in foreign countries. That's about it I guess, just look around and you'll find your answers.
   One last tip. Start learning the language of the country well before you go! If you are lucky enough to study with a great teacher in Africa, show him some respect by being able to communicate with him in his/her language. I'm going to Brazil in September and have already started learning their language to maximize my learning while there. Good luck! Faca uma boa viagem e divirta-se Senhor Vincent!

Get in contact with Joe Galeota, he goes to Ghana/West Africa basically every year on drum trips, he should give you some great feedback/info.  He teaches at Berklee, way nice guy, also makes awesome drums, JAG Drums.