World-class percussionist River Guerguerian said, Music is an attempt to arrange sounds and silences. And that is what Guerguerian will do at the Tryon Fine Arts Center on Thursday, April 22 at the series finale, Explore the Arts, as we Explore Drumming Around the World. Guerguerian has been inspiring audiences with arrangements of sounds and silences for percussion for over 25 years.

Born in Canada of Armenian-Egyptian descent, Guerguerian received the award of the Most Outstanding Percussionist when he received a Bachelor of Music from the Manhattan School of Music Conservatory. In 1988 he began creating works with Grammy and Oscar – winning composer Tan Dun.

He has also toured with other performing artists. Guerguerian spent five years living and traveling in the Himalayas learning unique methods and technics from diverse cultures.

By the time Guerguerian moved to Asheville in 1999, he had performed in concert halls in Tokyo, Moscow, Rome, London, Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and Lincoln Center (to name just a few). Drawing on this diverse background, Guerguerian plays and composes for Frame Drums, Middle Eastern and Afro-Cuban percussion, Tabla, Marimba, Singing Bowls and more. He has recorded on over 120 albums and film soundtracks. His current CDs will be on sale at TFAC.

Joining Guerguerian for an evening of percussive sounds is John Vorus, whose fascination with the didgeridoo began when a friend showed him the basic drones and how to make a didje out of PVC pipe. The sounds are expressive, organic and mesmerizing.

Vorus has mastered the technique of circular breathing that makes the complex sound possible. Vorus respect for this ancient instrument and for the aboriginal people of Australia as they persevere to keep their ageless culture alive with the mesmerizing vibrations of the didjeridoo has led him to the concert stage.

Explore Drumming Around the World with River Guerguerian and John Vorus will be held on Thursday, April 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served prior to the performance. Tickets are sold at the door only, with no reserved seating. For further information call TFAC at 828-859-8322.