The Humming Branch
Come join us on an exploration of Didgeridoos in North American culture, from their crafting to playing as a community!
What is a Didgeridoo?A Didgeridoo is a wooden wind instrument that originates from the Indigenous people of Northern Australia. Traditional Didgeridoos are crafted from eucalyptus trunks that have been hollowed out by termites. In addition, they are often painted and mouthpieces made from molded beeswax are commonly added on later. Due to its deep-rooted ties to aboriginal culture, the Didgeridoo is often played in ceremonies using a breathing technique known as circular breathing; furthermore, some Indigenous groups are also against females and/or non-aboriginals playing the Didgeridoo as a result of their cultural beliefs. Interestingly enough, studies have shown that playing the Didgeridoo can help minimize the effects of Sleep Apnea, chronic snoring and asthma.
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Meet The Subjects!
Darryl Switzer
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Gary Diggins |
Behind The Scenes
Didgeri-don't forget to follow us on social media!
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Meet The Crew!
Teryn LawsonDirectorTeryn is the Director and official coffee enthusiast for The Humming Branch. Although she played the clarinet for 7 years, she has since disowned it but is still be interested in learning the banjo. Her favourite instrument is the trumpet and likes “grandma” songs such as Yesterday by The Beatles, You Know I’m No Good by Amy Winehouse, and At Seventeen by Janis Ian.
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Alyssa FratangeliProducerAlyssa is our hardworking Producer that keeps the crew from going crazy. She has 11 years of experience playing her favourite instrument, the piano, and also knows the guitar. She aspires to learn bass guitar and loves the songs Perfect Symphony by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli, and Youngblood by 5SOS.
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Aura Torres GutierrezDirector of PhotographyOur Director of Photography is the lovely Aura who can “kinda play the guitar”. She loves the piano and her favourite song changes according to her mood: All those friendly people by the Funeral Suits for when she is in a happy mood and Street Lights by Kanye West when she feels sad. Some other recommendations are Midnight city by M83, Sparks by Beach House, the entire Animal Crossing soundtrack, and Yes I’m changing by Tame Impala. Listen to Blackpool Roll. Do it.
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Celeste Gagnon1st Assistant CameraCeleste Gagnon is our 1st Assistant Camera and Behind-the-scenes content creator. After playing the violin for a year and realising she sucked, she now hopes to learn the electric guitar. Her favourite songs include Sad! by xxxtentacion, Experience by Ludovico Einaudi, Love the Way You Lie by Eminem ft. Rihanna, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major: Prelude by Johann Sebastian Bach, and All To Myself by Marianas Trench.
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Robin GruszczynskiLocation Sound Mixer & Sound EditorIt should be no surprise that The Humming Branch’s bubbly Sound Mixer and Post Audio Supervisor Robin plays piano (her favourite instrument), ukulele, percussion, and violin, in addition to singing. As well, her favourite song is Deeper Deeper by One Ok Rock.
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Kimberly YungBoom OpKim has honoured us all by being our Boom Mic Operator. She can play the piano and bass guitar, which is also her favourite instrument. She would love to someday learn the drums and guitar, and listens to songs like Spaceman by The Killers, Carried Away by Passion Pit, And July by Heize (feat Dean), and Kyouran Hey Kids!! by The Oral Cigarettes.
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Brianna RaakmanEditorBrianna is our wonderful editor. She can play the guitar and wishes to learn how to play the piano, her favourite instrument. Her favourite songs include Fix You by Coldplay, Oceans by Hillsong, Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and Talk Me Down by Troye Sivan.
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Lan ZhaoVisual Effects ArtistOur creative Visual Effects Artist is Lan, who can play the electric organ and also “kinda play the guitar”. Like many on our crew, Lan’s favourite instrument is the piano, and her favourite songs are Luv Letter by DJ Okawari and Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
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Yabing XuAssistant EditorYabing is The Humming Branch’s Assistant Editor. She plays both the piano and, her favourite instrument, the guitar. One day she wishes to learn how to play violin. Her favourite song is Flower Dance by DJ Okawari.
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Lauren NeesonAssistant Location Sound MixerLauren is a sound recordist and The Humming Branch’s wild card. Her mysterious nature and secretive lifestyle leaves us with many questions. Does she listen to music? What is her favourite song? One thing we know for sure is her favourite music is rock. Legend has it she can sometimes be seen dining at McDonalds. She comes and goes as she pleases. Lauren is truly free.
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Bernice ChuAssistant Boom OpThe lovely Bernice is our assistant Boom Mic Operator. She can play piano, flute and a bit of guitar. She is an instrument enthusiast, wanting to learn how to play every instrument. She does not have any favourite songs, instead she loves anything acoustic sounding like Adele, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, as well as film and anime soundtracks. One song recommendation she has is La La Land Medley by Kyle Landry as it has a great arrangement and sounds “sooo good!”
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