Raphael Roter is a drumset player, dance accompanist and music educator based out of Toronto. In each of his endeavors, Raphael brings a characteristic sense of adventure and imagination and an invitation to join in the fun of artistic creation!
On the drums, Raphael plays in the 11-piece band, Asiko Afrobeat Ensemble. Their first Canadian album was met with critical acclaim and they have featured at a number of prominent shows including the Toronto Jazz Festival, Guelph Jazz Festival and Afrofest and have played alongside Seun Kuti, and Antibalas & Zap Mama. Raphael also plays drumset on a freelance basis and has played and/or recorded with Doug Tielli, Adam Rudolf, Meliani Brulee, Trisha Foster and Aline Morales among others. Among Raphael’s other achievements as a performer, he directed and conducted the street percussion group Samba Elegua and has toured in Europe and Canada’s east coast with a the performing dance group Lila Ensemble.
Raphael also works as a dance accompanist, where he plays music for dance technique classes. He regularly plays at York University, Earl Haig SS, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, George Brown College and other schools.
Raphael’s educational focus is towards early childhood and lower elementary music education. He teaches at a several music schools including Liberty Prep School, Graydon Hall Pre-school, Orchard Montessori school and Regent Park School of Music. Raphael has designed and taught two summer camp programs in Iqaluit, Nunavut for children aged 6-12 that merge music making with dance and puppetry. He has completed Orff level 2 certification, 50-hour Dalcroze training and an Advanced Certificate in Early Music Education from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Raphael draws much of his inspiration as an early childhood music teacher from his mother Carla who worked as a professional clown.
On the drums, Raphael plays in the 11-piece band, Asiko Afrobeat Ensemble. Their first Canadian album was met with critical acclaim and they have featured at a number of prominent shows including the Toronto Jazz Festival, Guelph Jazz Festival and Afrofest and have played alongside Seun Kuti, and Antibalas & Zap Mama. Raphael also plays drumset on a freelance basis and has played and/or recorded with Doug Tielli, Adam Rudolf, Meliani Brulee, Trisha Foster and Aline Morales among others. Among Raphael’s other achievements as a performer, he directed and conducted the street percussion group Samba Elegua and has toured in Europe and Canada’s east coast with a the performing dance group Lila Ensemble.
Raphael also works as a dance accompanist, where he plays music for dance technique classes. He regularly plays at York University, Earl Haig SS, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, George Brown College and other schools.
Raphael’s educational focus is towards early childhood and lower elementary music education. He teaches at a several music schools including Liberty Prep School, Graydon Hall Pre-school, Orchard Montessori school and Regent Park School of Music. Raphael has designed and taught two summer camp programs in Iqaluit, Nunavut for children aged 6-12 that merge music making with dance and puppetry. He has completed Orff level 2 certification, 50-hour Dalcroze training and an Advanced Certificate in Early Music Education from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Raphael draws much of his inspiration as an early childhood music teacher from his mother Carla who worked as a professional clown.