Zona Norte

Zona Norte's mission is to teach the repetoire of Monobloco to experienced / talented players and leaders in the North. Over the past few years the Rio based carnival bloco and touring group Monobloco have built up a reputation in as one of the finest performing groups in the genre of Samba and Carnival music from Brazil. As part of the groups legacy there are several education projects across the UK where students are studying and performing their music. Course tutor John Paul Courtney is an experienced percussion teacher. Having performed with Monobloco in the UK & Brazil he is now an official Monobloco teacher in the UK. During 2008/9 Zona Norte worked towards performances with the other UK & Ireland Monobloco projects in Luton in May 2009 and at the Thames Festival, London, in September. In January 2010 some particpants played with the Monobloco at Fundição Progresso in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro during carnaval. Plans are underway for performances in 2010 in the UK with other Monobloco UK students at Luton carnival in May & at the Rhythms of the World festival in Hitchin in July.