About this Workshop
Experience The Drummer in You is for anyone interested in beginner-friendly group drumming with an emphasis connection, collaboration and creativity.
Everyone contributes their unique rhythm into a shared group sound creating an in the moment musical experience. By guiding participants through freedom of expression on the drums they will begin to discover their natural pulse while creating a cohesive group.
How this works:
When people play rhythms together they synchronize their brains and bodies through a phenomenon known as “Rhythmic Brainwave Entrainment”. Playing repeated patterns with a group aligns everyone to the same pulse and the results are felt individually and collectively.
No previous drumming or musical skill is required to participate and drums are provided. Beginners are warmly welcomed!
The research continues to evolve on the health and wellness benefits of drumming and music. Click below to learn more.
The Experience
Creating The Container
This experience begins with a centering meditation followed by a quick lesson on how to hold and play the drum. This is presented in a way so that even absolute beginners who have never played can get started in a matter of minutes.
Once everyone gets a feel for the drum Matt will lead the group through call and response patterns to get everyone in the drumming mindset.
Progressive Nudge
Matt will lead the group through progressively more involved drumming and social freedom activities that will nudge everyone to the edge of their comfort zone where they can experience real growth and transformation.
Activities Include:
◊ Call and response drumming
◊ Improvised group music making
◊ Social games
◊ Leadership challenges
◊ Rhythmic exercises
◊ Breath work practices
Presence and Awareness
Several breath work and mindfulness concepts will be applied to the drumming to help promote relaxation, awareness and creative expression.
Matt will broaden your understanding of how group drumming affects the mind and body in real time through examples and explanations.
Check out the video below for a mindfulness exercise you can try right now!
What You Get
Totally Interactive Experience
◊ 90 minute workshop
◊ Everyone gets their own drum to play
◊ Hands on engagement for the whole session
Engaging, Enthusiastic and Professional Facilitator
◊ Professional Music Educator since 2009
◊ Drum Circle Facilitator since 2017
◊ Drum Circle Facilitators Guild member since 2022
◊ Berklee College of Music graduate (2009)
◊ Jim Donovan Drum Circle Leadership Training Certificate (2017)
◊ Village Music Circles Facilitators Intensive 6-Day Training (2023)
◊ 1000+ Drum circles facilitated
“You taught what rhythm is, had students creating rhythm and taking it to the next level when they created a rhythm with one another in a positive immersive environment that you created by your own positivity and by the way you respectfully communicated with your class… You model what we expect from our students and they mimic your actions.”
Siobhan Donnelly | Centre Learning Community Charter School Specials Coordinator
“Everyone was talking about the drum circle yesterday and this morning a few staff were still commenting on how it was a great time. It was amazing to see so many of our residents participating. It really was great fun!I think it’s great that you are up for trying new things. I love the movement with the boom whackers with the left ,, center,, right…. Your solo was great and it allowed for a little rest and the closing was great with the surf of the ocean. Everyone enjoys following your rhythm and it is a good challenge (even for me)-lots of good things for sure!”
Dana Gregg | Therapeutic Recreation Department | Atrium Health Care Center