My name is Phil Clark. I've been playing didjeridu for nearly 9 years, and have just finished a master's degree in ethnomusicology from the University of Illinois, focusing on the Australian Aboriginal didjeridu and its place in the northern Australian tourism industry. Between 2006 and 2008, I visited Australia four times, and spent a total of about 10 months living in Aboriginal communities near the mining town of Nhulunbuy in Australia's northeast Arnhem Land region. While there I studied didjeridu playing and craftsmanship from the internationally renowned Yolngu teacher Djalu' Gurruwiwi, as well as from the late, great M*lk*yng* Mununggurr (name partially obscured out of respect for the deceased and his family), former didjeridu player with the internationally acclaimed Yolngu band Yothu Yindi. Part of the findings of my master's research were published in the Journal of Ecotourism Vol. 8, No. 2, under the title Rripangu Yidaki: Aboriginal Social Frameworks in a Musical Ecotourism Business.
I am an active musician and music teacher in the Champaign, IL area, interested in all aspects of music making and musical knowledge. With a solid background in world music, I'm hoping I can help improve upon pages relating to Australian Aboriginal, and other lesser-known musical traditions.