Helen Bond, Director
Medusa’s Musical Mysteries
Helen Bond is a dynamic percussionist, educator, and storyteller who captivates audiences of all ages with the joy, energy, and healing power of traditional West African hand drumming and songs. She received the Jack Benny Arts and Humanities Award in 2015 and was recognized by the Institut Supérieur des Arts de Guinée in 2016 for her excellence in drumming and teaching.
Inspired by music from an early age, Helen has traveled annually to Guinea, West Africa, since 2001 to immerse herself in the rich musical traditions of the Malinke and Susu peoples — the creators of the djembe and dunun drums. Living and studying among local communities in Conakry and the Hamana region, she has deepened her understanding of traditional rhythms and their significance in daily village life through intensive study with three generations of drummers, dancers, and griots.
For the past 19 years, Helen has been bringing Guinean musicians to North America for workshops and classes as part of the “Hand to Hand: Wassa Kunba! Drumming Experience.” She continues to introduce new generations of drummers from West Africa.
Through her company, Medusa’s Musical Mysteries, Helen offers a wide range of programs, including West African drumming classes, storytelling performances, artist-in-residency programs, drum circle facilitation, workshops, balafon classes, and performance tours with expert teaching artists. She is the co-founder of the performance group Diamana Diya, meaning “make good music for the land,” and also provides high-quality drums and traditional African instruments for purchase.
Helen and Amy Lusk are the founders of Motherland Rhythm Community, a non-profit organization dedicated to building community, fostering cultural connections through music, and humanitarian projects. Among their projects, they have an initiative focused on charitable assistance in Guinea, supporting education, healthcare, clean water, economic sustainability, female empowerment, and basic human needs.
She teaches West African drumming to children and adults throughout the Chicago area, offering regular classes at venues such as the Grayslake Heritage Center and the Gorton Community Center. As an adjunct faculty member at Lake Forest College, she teaches courses such as the West African Drumming Ensemble, a required class for the Music Education degree, and leads the KanSamaba West African Drumming Chamber Ensemble. Helen also provides artist-in-residency programs across the country, bringing her expertise to a wide range of educational and community settings.
Her workshops offer an immersive and energizing experience, welcoming students of all levels to explore the power of communal drumming. Helen’s approachable teaching style helps participants develop their skills, while also encouraging creativity and introspection through original, non-traditional compositions. Many students leave her workshops feeling revitalized and deeply connected to the rhythms of life.
Helen’s extensive training includes studies in djembe, dunun, balafon, and West African dance. Since 2010, she has also led cultural and service trips to Guinea, providing participants with the unique opportunity to study with various musicians and engage in community development.