Eight incredible female drummers, the Drummer Queens are on their way to Australia with Sydney and Brisbane their first stops of a national tour. This high energy show is a blend of movement and rhythm mixing rhythmic styles and is being described as “irresistible and powerfully inspirational.” We got the opportunity to chat to Peta Anderson, performer and choreographer, Percussionist Salina Myat and drummer Emma Ford.
Emma Ford has drummed her way from Sydney to Broadway performing in productions including Mean Girls, Magic Mike, Come From Away, Head Over Heels, Tootsie and Jagged Little Pill, and alongside such talents as Stephen Schwartz, Ben Vereen and John Cameron Mitchell. Peta Anderson, is one of Australia’s leading tap dancers, and is taking the world by storm by combining her knowledge of both Irish and tap dance styles, creating unique rhythms drawing from her love of and talent for percussion. Salina is in her final year of a Bachelor of Music Performance in Percussion at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has engaged in various orchestral programs outside of the conservatorium such as Sydney Youth Orchestras and Australian Youth Orchestra.
Preparing for a performance is critical and everyone has their own approach. “I have to look after my body and make sure I warm up properly”, says Peta “Then I listen to my favourite tracks to get in the zone”. Emma has a stretching routine before every show “then I warm up my hands”. While Salina has a completely different preparation, “Lots of calm! I sit alone and meditate”.
Peta discovered her love of drums “Through my love of tap and Irish dancing, I felt a natural pull towards percussion”. At 8 Emma played clarinet in the school band “but I always wanted to play the drums. I begged my parents for a kit and never looked back!”
So who is the one person (alive or dead) you would like/would have liked to work with? For Peta it is Whitney Houston, for Emma it is Lady Gaga and for Salina it is Beyonce.
What is the most valuable piece of advice that you have ever been given? “As a musician – Always know where the ‘1’ is!” says Peta, for Salina it is “Don’t stop chasing your dreams”. So what advice would you give someone starting out in this business. For Emma it “Be patient” while Selina offers “Trust the work that you have put in”.
Some quick questions:
Favourite production you have ever seen?
Emma: Hamilton on Broadway
Salina: A community theatre production of Next to Normal. The energy on stage was so wonderful.
Who has inspired you the most personally or professionally?
Peta: My dad. He was a bass player so I was brought up surrounded by music.
Emma: Sheila E. She was the first female drummer that I ever saw.
Do you have a hobby that does not involve music or dancing?
Peta: Anything on the water
Salina: Reading
What is the song you can’t stop listening to right now?
Peta: Shoshana Bean – Tomorrow – Post Modern Dukebox version
Salina: Still on Live by Thirdstory
Emma: Michuul by Duckworth
On thing is certain, The Drummer Queens has an incredibly talented group of women with a diversity of backgrounds on stage. It will be unlike anything you will have seen before. All three answer as one “It’s amazingly empowering!”
SEASON DETAILS
Sydney Lyric Theatre, The Star
Season 6 – 14 February 2021
Performance Times Tues-Thurs 7:30pm, Fri 6:30 & 9pm, Sat 2 & 7:30pm, Sun 2pm or 6:30pm
Prices: From $49 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100
Drummer Queen Photography: Luke Parry
