Return of the ancient didgeridoo
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers WOODWORKING- Using a chainsaw, Will Thoren carves the initial rough shape of a didgeridoo, an Australian wind instrument, out of a log at his Malibou Lake home. Thoren shapes the instruments from scavenged logs and branches, hollows them out, and sands and seals them by hand.

William Thoren is only 20, but his interests are as diverse as the continents. The Agoura Hills resident is a didgeridoo player and a photographer and has already become skilled at both disciplines.

The didgeridoo, which is one of the world's oldest wind instruments, was developed by the indigenous people of northern Australia.

Thoren became acquainted with the didgeridoo at the age of 11 when his brother brought one back from Costa Rica. Thoren learned how to play the unique instrument and was later invited to Australia to hone his skills at the hands of the aboriginal masters.

The didgeridoo, also known as the 'yidaki,' was originally made from wood limbs that were hollowed out by termites. Nowadays the instsrument is made with hand and power tools and has become a popular specialty instrument worldwide.

Those who have heard the didgeridoo know that it produces a vibrating sound that soothes both body and soul. Controlled breath movements help sustain the notes and pitches, said Thoren, who now teaches didgeridoo lessons at an Agoura Hills music store.

"People young and old are interested in learning the didgeridoo because it has an intensely unique sound and it can be played with many types of music styles," Thoren said.

"It's easy to pick up the basics but very hard to master, so you always have something new and challenging to practice the more you play."

When used in a tribal setting, the didgeridoo's vibrations and long, drawn-out notes create a captivating sound that have a mystical effect.

Playing the didgeridoo expands lung capacity and when worked over long periods of time it can put people into a meditative state, Thoren said.

According to some studies, people who suffer from sleep apnea and snoring can benefit by playing the didgeridoo.

During his three-month stay in Australia, Thoren learned advanced techniques from William Barton, an aboriginal man of the Kalkadunga tribe who is considered to be Australia's best didgeridoo player.

After earning Barton's respect, Thoren was introduced to Djalu Guruwiwi, a famous didgeridoo maker who lives in Arnhemland, Australia. Thoren stayed with Guruwiwi's tribe and practiced the craft of didgeridoo making.

"I came away from this trip with a much more advanced style of playing and much better understanding of the didgeridoo, its heritage and its traditional use and the traditional ways of making it," Thoren said.

"Like so many kids in our culturally deprived and sheltered society, I was always searching for new ways to be an individual and to stay away from the norm," he said.

But since making a living at the didgeridoo wasn't likely to happen, Thoren decided to nurture his love of photography.

When he returned home from Australia last November Thoren pursued his passion for taking picures.

Thoren developed his love for the art when he took photography classes at Agoura High School. His teacher, Ken Neely, advised him to contact renowned Hollywood photographer Douglas Kirkland.

Late last year Thoren was hired to work as a full-time assistant to the popular celebrity photographer. He's been fine tuning his skills under the the master's watchful eye ever since.

"Will has shown great enthusiasm and possibility and these are the qualities that I look in people working with me," Kirkland said.

Thoren enjoys shooting images of adventures and natural settings, perhaps spurred by his lifechanging trip to Australia.

"My work is focused on creating beautiful landscape images of the places that surround me such as the Santa Monica Mountains," he said.

Thoren became the first photographer to be accepted by the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains. The organization works with artists, environmentalists, park agencies and volunteer groups to promote the beauty and conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Thoren is the son of Terry and Jean Thoren. His father was CEO of Klasky Csupo, the animation company that made cartoons such as "Rugrats," "Wild Thorn Berries" and "Rocket Power." His mother is president and owner of Animation Magazine in Westlake Village.