Celene Yohemas

Bio

Music is a lifelong journey.  At age 3, Celene found herself at the organ keyboard playing the songs she had heard her sisters practicing, and making up her own melodies. At age 12 she was introduced to percussion and drum set by an inspiring band teacher, and she was hooked! She pursued her Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance at the University of Calgary and began her career.

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As a composer, she won a Betty Mitchell Award for her composition collaborative with Green Fools Theatre in Dancing on Water  (2006). She composed the score and performed sound design on stage for Alberta Theatre Projects' Picking up Chekhov (2006), performed percussion and co-arranged Why Freud Fainted  (2007) with writer/musician/composer David Rhymer and cellist Morag Northey.

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Celene is no stranger to the stage or the studio. She has performed on dozens of recordings, from projects to session work.

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She has honed her teaching skills through her private studio and teaching hundreds of percussion clinics at various schools and camps over the past 23 years.  From kids to adults, she loves to share her passion for percussion and drumming.

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She has performed on many projects taking her from classical percussion to Egyptian belly dance rhythms to rock and roll to country music, to blues,  and continues to learn new techniques, rhythms and styles. Music is a life-long learning process. Enjoy the journey and share what you have learned with others!

Projects include:

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National Music Centre (Drum set Instructional Video Installation 2016-present)

Mark Morris Dance NYC (Banff Centre Collaborative 2019)

Savridi Singers (2012 - 2019)

Sophie Armstrong (Violinist) (2017)

Jennie Harluk (2016)

Celia Rose (2015)

Y-brothers/bluessmyth (2008-2017)

Green Fools Theatre - Dancing on Water (2005), Crossing the Mediterranian (2006), many Halloween Howls (2005-2012)

Alberta Theatre Projects - Picking up Chekhov (2006), Why Freud Fainted (2007)

Tabitha (2007)

Lovebullies (2006-2009)

Rooster in a Henhouse (2004-2008)

Rebel Ritas (2000-2008)

Cappuccino Theatre - A Chorus Line (2005)

Deliria (with Leela Aheer, Erin Beach and Portia Crooks 2004)

Theresa Wasden Quartet

Toshi Jackson

Grossmont College Wind Ensemble (California, 2002)

Calgary Concert Band

Calgary Wind Symphony

University of Calgary Wind Ensemble

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Rise - Y Brothers

2015

After nearly a decade of touring and playing shows across Canada, Y Brothers (formerly bluessmyth) went back into the studio to record Rise.  This album is more rock than blues, and still full of story-telling songs.  With new riffs, great soloing on guitar, bass and drums, this album offers a new sound with all soul.

Sola Gratia - bluessmyth

2009

After a short few months of touring and writing with new drummer, Celene Yohemas, bluessmyth went into the studio to record their third album, Sola Gratia.  This album is filled with gritty blues, soulful vocals, melodic bass lines, and stories inspired by 2005 hurricane Katrina. The stories of those left in Katrina's wake haunted the band, especially the poor outcomes years after the catastrophe.  This album includes songs about addiction, regret, redemption and covers the gamut of the human experience.

When I Get Through With You - Lovebullies

2008

The Lovebullies have their style, with surf-rock circa 1960s sound.  This album was recorded at Audities studio with the late-great Kevin Herring on guitar, lead singer Caroline Connoly on vocals, the ever exceptional Chantal Vitalis on guitar, theramin and vocals, Joni Brent on Bass, and Celene Yohemas on drums, congas, and vibraphone.  With special appearances Kris Demeanor, Kenna Burima, Danielle French, and more!

Tabitha EP - Tabitha

2008

Hard rock trio Tabitha put out a 5 song EP with hard hitting drums (Celene Yohemas), tricky bass licks (Chris Rawlyck), growly vocals and singing guitar lines by Carla Olive.

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