Chicago Didjeridu Chorus

The Chicago Didjeridu Chorus is perhaps Chicago’s largest acoustic tribal percussion ensemble, featuring the Australian Didjeridu as its centerpiece. The Didjeridu is an ancient Australian instrument that has been used by various indigenous tribes in the Northern region of Australia for at least 6,000 years. The culture from whence it comes is said to be 45,000 years old.

Founded by Tim Porcelli in 1991 as a Didjeridu Storytelling group, the Chicago Didjeridu Chorus has since grown to include handmade instruments from indigenous cultures around the world, including: Didjeridu (Australia), hand drums from Africa, India, Puerto Rico, Siberia, Cuba, Indonesia and the Middle East, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Balinese Temple Gong, various wooden flutes, the Kora (African Gourd Harp from Senegal), Tongue Drums (USA), Zithers (USA), Sitar, Tabla, Naal, Dholak (India) and a ever expanding variety of other percussion instruments.

The Chorus lineup has changed and evolved through the years. At this point in time the lineup includes (in order of seniority): Tim Porcelli, Dragan Milovanovic, Carl Pedigo, Catherine Myers, Kim DeVore, Steve Riddle, Terry Reimer, Dania Calandrino, Joy Wolf, Jim Cote, Kristin Cone and Jonathan Anthony. Some of the folks who have played with the CDC in the past include Dan Plovanich, Lynda Sanford, Bob DeVore, Jennifer Ruggieri, Ed Anderson, Jerry Sanders, Trina Fischer, Abdul Jami, Alexander Duval, Pam (djembe) and many others.

The CDC has a long history of collaborations/performances with many innovative dancers and artists including Bec McNamara, Callie Evans, Andrea Mattson, Mari Miller, Whitney Counts, the SAIC Belly Dance Troupe, Read My Hips Tribal Bellydance Troupe, and many others.