Filled with joy
Kentville man’s driving love of drumming, education prompts him to found Djugdjug Ensemble
Kentville resident Bruno Allard has always marched to the beat of his own drum - now he's teaching others to do the same.
Born in New Brunswick, Allard attended St. Thomas University in Fredericton, striving for a social work degree, and knowing he wanted to work with people. His path, he would learn, would take him in a different direction.
“Looking back, it’s clear that I wasn’t ready for university,” he says, noting a youth program like Katimavik would have been a better fit right after high school.
“By my third year, my grades were falling, and I lacked the will, discipline, and so on to do well, so I left school and worked at various jobs.”
It was during this time that Allard would have two significant experiences that would help reshape his future. First, he got a job at Camp Rotary, for children and adults with special needs, which he says “changed everything” for him.
“That first summer, I realized I wanted to be a teacher, applied to go back to school, and was able to maintain excellent grades from then on,” says Allard.
After graduating with his Bachelor of Arts, Allard set off on an international route, teaching adults and children in South Korea. When he returned to Canada, he completed an education degree, then taught world history, U.S. history and current issues at a private high school in Haiti for two years.
“I was there before, during, and for a year after the devastating earthquake of 2010,” he says.
Following a few years working at Kings County Academy in Kentville, Allard is now at Horton High School, where he teaches English and French language arts, Éducation Civique for French Immersion students, core French, and English classes. Then, for fun, Allard facilitates a juggling club at recess three times a week.
DRUMMING
Allard’s second a-ha moment from his university gap year came from another of his various jobs, as assistant to a cabinetmaker and hardwood stair builder, Doug Rigaux, who was also passionate about djembe and traditional West African drumming. Rigaux invited Allard to a small gathering and introduced him.
“I enjoyed the drumming and really liked Doug, so I attended from time to time,” says Allard. “Since then, my passion for learning, playing, and sharing with the djembe, dunduns, and songs has been constant and filled with joy.”
When Allard first moved to the Valley, he facilitated a weekly drop-in, learn-todrum session where he would introduce a new rhythm every week. Drums were provided, no prior experience was required, and it was free. There was also no commitment required, and attendance was good but inconsistent, he says.
A few years ago, Allard decided rather than have weekly drop-ins, he would have a monthly drop-in, but the regular members would still get together every week and rehearse, work on arrangements, and build their skills. This group is affectionately called the Djugdjug Ensemble (sounds like “jug-jug”).
“I came up with the name by combining the ‘dj’ in djembe and ‘Doug,’ to honour Doug Rigaux’s passion,” says Allard.
New this year, Allard offered a sixweek learn to drum class and may end up offering it twice a year now.
At different times of year and depending on interest, Allard offers workshops at festivals, drop-in workshops at the Wolfville Baptist Church, African dance classes, African drumming classes, and other opportunities. To be informed about upcoming events, those interested are encouraged to join the Facebook group, Djugdjug Ensemble.
Although technically the leader of the group, Allard says in some ways it feels like a collective, where several of the members have been playing together for years and the collective skills and understanding are constantly increasing.
“We give each other constant feedback and share in some of the tasks that need to be done,” he says.
“We sing together, we learn together; during performances and workshops, we go through the uncertainty of failure and success. Through all of it, it can be very joyful.”
Besides teaching and drumming, Allard plays the drum kit, and says he would love to be part of a group that plays jazz, funk, reggae, afrobeat, klezmer, Latin or other types of music. He knows, however, this might not be possible until his four-year-old son is older.
Allard also co-teaches a swing dancing class with his partner, Selah Koile, and has started a group called Swing in the Valley. Anyone interested in learning more can join the Facebook group Swing in the Valley, or email valleyswing@gmail.com.