RONAN SKILLEN
Ronan’s musical journey started at the age of 10, with seven years of classical French horn training. He was introduced to the didgeridoo when he was 16 and a year later was given his first traditional didgeridoo by Ghanaian virtuoso drummer Emmanuel Gomado. This was Ronan’s first significant experience with improvised music and prompted many collaborations with other like-minded musicians.
After teaching himself the instrument for a few years, he developed a strong rhythmic style of playing, which sparked a fascination with percussion. In his early twenties Ronan travelled to Australia to learn from the Aborigines about the origins of the didgeridoo and the culture surrounding it.
His musical travels continued, leading him to Ghana and South Africa, where he was fortunate to meet a tabla maestro. Having developed a passion for percussion and being particularly intrigued by this classical Indian drum. In 2003, Ronan travelled to India and began playing tabla under the tutelage of Ustad Akram Khan.
Ronan has been exploring a fusion of tabla, percussion and didgeridoo by means of a hybrid percussion kit which he designed. This has become part of his permanent set-up and demonstrates a rich textural variety and a unique versatility. He makes many of his instruments by hand, using natural objects such as seed pods, tree bark, cocoons, reeds and hide to create percussive sounds.
After teaching himself the instrument for a few years, he developed a strong rhythmic style of playing, which sparked a fascination with percussion. In his early twenties Ronan travelled to Australia to learn from the Aborigines about the origins of the didgeridoo and the culture surrounding it.
His musical travels continued, leading him to Ghana and South Africa, where he was fortunate to meet a tabla maestro. Having developed a passion for percussion and being particularly intrigued by this classical Indian drum. In 2003, Ronan travelled to India and began playing tabla under the tutelage of Ustad Akram Khan.
Ronan has been exploring a fusion of tabla, percussion and didgeridoo by means of a hybrid percussion kit which he designed. This has become part of his permanent set-up and demonstrates a rich textural variety and a unique versatility. He makes many of his instruments by hand, using natural objects such as seed pods, tree bark, cocoons, reeds and hide to create percussive sounds.