Raquy Danziger is an American musician, teacher, composer and visual artist. She is considered to be one of the foremost experts and virtuosos on the oriental goblet drum known as the darbuka. Renowned for her electrifying performances, Raquy has performed and taught darbuka all over the world. Through her concerts, compositions, publications and teaching methodology, Raquy has made a significant contribution toward elevating the darbuka from a humble folk drum to a shining solo instrument fit for a concert hall, thus inspiring a new generation of players around the world.
In addition to drumming, Raquy plays the mystical twelve-string spike fiddle called King Kamancha Tarhu, and is a disciple of Azeri kamancha master Imamyar Hasanov.
Beginning in 2020 Raquy embarked on a new artistic journey in Ottoman style illumination painting. She completed 3 years at the Klasik Sannat Art Academy in Istanbul and has recently begun exhibiting her work and giving workshops in the technique of illumination art.
2000 to the present
· Toured the world performing and teaching darbuka in Germany, Austria, Poland, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Egypt, Italy, Canada, USA, Israel, Mexico, Spain, India, Greece, Uzbekistan and Turkey
· Taught master classes at many universities including, NYU, McGill, University of Victoria, University of California, University of Rochester, Williams College, American University in Cairo and Istanbul Technical University
· Appeared on Turkish television, Uzbeki television, Good Morning Egypt, Arabs Got Talent and Al Jazeera News
2012- present
· Founder and CEO of www.darbukaschool.com, an online darbuka school that currently has over 2000 students enrolled
Oct 2023
· Was invited to be Artist in Residence at the Jerusalem Artist Colony (project has been postponed due to the Gaza war)
2022-23
· Taught darbuka to Arab students at El Mostaqbal and Agial high schools in Jaffa, Israel
2020-2024
· Studied Ottoman style painting at the Klasik Sannat art academy in Istanbul under master illuminist Nazan Berbercioglu
· Offers workshops in the art of illumination
· Exhibits her paintings in art shows and galleries
2021-2022
· Translated from Turkish to Hebrew and served as teaching assistant for Iranian kamancha master Arslan Hazreti's seminars in Jerusalem
2000- 2020
· Held "Darbuka Camp" drumming retreats several times a year in upstate NY, where people attended from all over the world
2010 - 2020
· Trained in Istanbul with master player Bunyamin Olguncan on darbuka drumming and founded a darbuka school there
2006, 2007
· Taught semester courses in darbuka drumming at the American University in Cairo
2005
· Received the "Meet the Composer" award, a grant that supported the performance of her composition with Said El Artist's drumming orchestra in Egypt
2004
· Gave a performance and master class at the Percussive Arts Society convention in Indianapolis
1988-1992
· Graduated Cum Laude from Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in “History of Ideas”
Raquy's original paintings are currently exhibited at:
· Sufi Center in Jaffa, Israel
· Suzanne Dellal Cultural Center in Tel Aviv
Raquy is a polyglot, speaking English, Hebrew, Turkish, French and Arabic to various degrees
Publications
The Decadent Vegan Cookbook- 2022
Collection of Drum Compositions- 2019
Collection of Melodic Compositions- 2019
Darbuka Method- 2016
Dumbek Fever IV - 2013
Dumbek Fever III- 2010
Dumbek Fever II - 2007
Dumbek Fever -2005
Albums
Hi 2024
Mirror Mirror 2021
Passport to Shimmy 2019
Darbuka Magic 2017
Neverland 2016
Monkey Mind 2014
Bal Dudak 2012
Raquy and the Cavemen Do Egypt 2009
Green Lover 2009
Bewitched 2007
Mischief 2006
Naked 2005
Jordan 2004
Dust 2003
Masmudi 2001
www.raquy.com
raquyart.com
darbukaschool.com
https://www.youtube.com/raquydanziger