About Claudia

Starting off with a strong interest in Flamenco dance, Claudia moved to Spain where she lived for five years studying dance and percussion. While in Spain, she encountered the cajon, and began studying with Flamenco percussionists including Juan Flores (Duquende, Manuel Soto), Isaac Figueras (Chiquelo, Diego Carrasco) and Pepe Motos (Sara Baras Flamenco Company, Paco de Lucia).

After a year of playing for local Flamenco dancers in Barcelona, she was offered touring work with Mexican guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela. Moving to Ireland to record with them on their album, Re-foc, Claudia then began to work with other artists including Irish folk legend Luka Bloom. For the next three years she performed in Ireland, and other parts of Europe including Holland, Czech Republic, Denmark and Spain.

Since moving back to Australia in 2005, Claudia has collaborated with many groups and artists including Los Carmonas, Cositas Flamencas, Elena Varga, Oscar Guzman and others. She received a John Butler Seed grant to study with tabla player Bobby Singh, and has worked with dancers and musicians on many projects including Critical Paths and Unlock your Creativity. She also received Australia Council funding for her work as facilitator in the Unlock your Creativity Workshops, and is currently in receipt of Australia Council Artist in Schools funding.

A registered secondary teacher with the Department Education and Training (DET) NSW, Australia, Claudia has over 20 years' experience teaching people of many ages, backgrounds and abilities. She has run professional development sessions, taught students and mentored teachers at numerous schools across NSW.

Passionate about both teaching and learning, she loves to facilitate fun, joy and empowerment through music.

About Learn Cajon

Playing music is an expression of you - and with good technique, key grooves, and a great sounding cajon, you can experience the creative rush, and joy of music both with others, and alone.

This site is the crystallisation of many years of teaching, performing and selling of cajons. The Learn Cajon modules were developed over an 18 month period where they were tested on students, refined and edited again and again. All videos were shot in HD, and are supported by accompanying exercises and thorough background notes. We didn't cut any corners, and the result is high quality cajon training that will get your playing sounding awesome and your musical understanding rock solid - quickly and effortlessly.

As with our high standard of teaching, we only stock the finest quality Spanish Requena cajon drums from Cordoba and 100% German Schlagwerk drums. I have been playing and selling cajons since 1998, and Schlagwerk and Requena are my cajon makers of choice. They consistently produce outstanding drums with no corners cut on quality of sound and workmanship at a pricepoint which reflects value for money. 

I am committed to providing excellent service, and to sharing my love for this wonderful instrument which can facilitate so much joy fun and empowerment in our lives.

Look forward to hearing from you through the site!

Claudia :)

What is a cajon?

The cajon (Spanish for 'box' or 'drawer') is a wooden drum with one side made of thin plywood for hitting. It can be played with hands or wire brushes. Originally from Peru, it developed from African slaves playing percussion on cod fishing crates or other boxes to replace their native drums.

Over time, and with much experimentation, the cajon developed into a world class instrument. Since the 1970s when flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia introduced it into his music, the cajon has spread worldwide in popularity. Today, apart from its well-established place in Spanish, Flamenco and Latin American music, the cajon is used by artists as diverse as Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman, Pharoah Sanders, Luka Bloom and even Jennifer Lopez!

Modern flamenco cajons made by Requena Percussion and Schlagwerk Percussion combine their own construction designs with traditional instrument shapes and materials from Peru and Cuba. Known for their strong bass and distinctive 'snare' sounds (created from steel guitar strings attached to the inside of the hitting surface) the cajon is often referred to as a drumkit in a box!

Special thanks

This project has come about because of the amazing network of people who helped me to create it. With special thanks to:

My wonderful mentor and friend Debbie Pask, Video producer Vanna Seung (VSS Studios), Juan Requena of Requena Percussion, Adriana Rodriguez & Los Carmonas Studio, Allan and Carolyn Watson of Optimum Percussion, Javi and Spanish Tapas, Jo-anne Breneger, Patrick Lesslie, Justin Neely, Annalise Friend, Simone Pope, Charlotte Askie, Oliver Askie, Olivia Rivas, Rosi Rivas, Diego Rodriguez, Ana Maria Campos and the students at Spanish School of Dance, Yolanda Campos and the students at Sangre Espanola, Juan Flores, Isaac Figueras, Greg Sheehan, Bobby Singh, Dave Hingerty, Rosa Reyes, Luka Bloom, Angel, Tomas Dietz, Damian Castaldi, Solange Kershaw, Sarah Waterson, Dean Watson, Jenny Pitty, Catherine Zimdahl, Tomas Arroquerro, Pedro Altuna, Sandra Kozleuchar, Cali Prince, Richard Prince, James Pask, Kua La, Jenni Dal, Paul Whyte, Terry Cole, Zelda & Bella, Koula Thambyah, Michael Megna, Antonetta di Stefano, Lynne Emslie, Lauren Esdail, Louise Godley, Rached Hayak, Ellen Macleay.
A special thank you to my parents Margaret and Carrick Chambers for their ongoing support and belief in me.

With thanks to Requena Percusion and Pepe Motos for use of Requena Percussion soundtrack.