Head Start Recap

4-year-olds just drum.

That's why I was excited to share a Beatwell Workshop with two preschool groups last week. I was invited to Morgan State University's Head Start program by their mental health therapist, Nikki Smith, LGSW, MSW, M.Ed.

As most of us get older, we become more self-judgmental. Young kids play naturally, and I was there primarily for just that—to play music. However, in my work, we play with purpose. It was my intention to use group music-making to teach three specific concepts.

1. Individual Self-Expression

I explained to the kids that each instrument has its own sound, in the same way that each child has their own unique voice and gifts to share. They realized that it's possible to play different rhythms on their own instrument, while still contributing to one cohesive song. Which leads us to the next concept.

2. Community & Teamwork

In order for each individual "voice" to be effectively heard, working together was essential. I explained that throughout our lives we are members of different teams: classroom, family, sports team, community, etc. It is when we work together—in this case listening and contributing to the music—that the group is most successful. To tie the two concepts together, the group will work best when each individual contributes their best self.

3. Multicultural Diversity

Each instrument I brought has its own story of origin. Beatwell Workshops offer a great opportunity to experience how different cultures use music to strengthen community. Some African, Latin and Native American cultures—to name a few—make music each day socially. This is quite different from the musical experiences most Americans have. Too often in our consumeristic culture, we treat our art as a product; not as a tool of self-expression and community-building.

Drumming offered the opportunity to teach these important concepts to such young kids, while maintaining engagement. In fact, the number one compliment I seem to get from teachers and other adults is how engaged the children remain. I was glad to create some opportunities for learning, but between us, I was there to play.

And we did that—because 4-year-olds just drum.

Mesh Baltimore Recap

Every community needs a monthly SkillShare.

Mesh Baltimore organizes this 3-hour event each month in Federal Hill.

The concept is simple: 12 locals share a unique expertise for 60 minutes. Each hour you pick from one of four offerings. In an afternoon you walk away with new knowledge and experiences, an expanded network of neighbors, and a belly full of pita chips and hummus.

I gladly accepted an invitation to lead a Beatwell Workshop at the April SkillShare. The Workshop was more educational in nature, during which I shared current research on the health benefits of group drumming and personal experiences as a therapeutic drummer and educator.

But we also "played" music. (The word "perform" is never used in a Beatwell Workshop.) Some attendees had never touched a drum, which always excites me. Within seconds the group was creating musical and memorable experiences together.

Here are some "still" memories from Mesh!
(Over the next month, Julian Haddad and I will be editing video from this and other Beatwell events to share with you all!)

Drum Circle at Record & Tape Traders

Baltimore County has one last, great record store.

Record and Tape Traders has endured as the music and media businesses have evolved. While all the other locations closed their doors (along with almost all of the national retailers), the Towson location remains.

I'm proud to be leading a Beatwell drum circle inside the store next Saturday, May 11! The event is free, open to all, and I'll be sharing drums and percussion. RSVP here.

Here's to creating some new, lasting memories at Record and Tape that could rival the hours standing in line for HFStival tickets in the late 90's!

The Takoma Park Drummers

Wednesday night is officially "drum night" in Washington D.C.

Over the past year I've seen pictures and videos pop up on my Facebook feed every Thursday capturing the previous night's magic. I finally experienced it for myself last week.

The event, held at The Electric Maid in Takoma Park, offers a first-class opportunity for beginners and seasoned drummers alike to drum from 7-930 every Wednesday. (The spring season ends tonight with the weekly events returning this fall.)

As I drove past looking for parking, with four friends in tow, we could hear the loud rumbling of drums, even at a few minutes past seven. We were warmly greeted as we entered and encouraged to try the dozens of drums and percussion instruments the organizers graciously shared.

Many of the facilitators and drummers looked familiar as I've been to a number of similar events in the D.C. area. They are truly a unique and incredible music community. At the forefront is Katy Gaughan, a full-time percussionist and drum circle facilitator. I've known Katy for a few years now and her work is quite remarkable. (I plan to dedicate a future post to her story.)

My friends and I were led through a couple hours of joyous drumming, singing, and dancing. People of all ages and backgrounds celebrated tremendously, in what was an otherwise difficult week for our nation.

I wish every community had a weekly event like this. One of my friends, new to the drum circle experience said on the ride home, "That was exactly what I needed."

Sharing Love With Pigtown

Just before I left for Monday afternoon's guitar lesson, the AP app on my phone flashed a message saying a couple explosions occurred in Boston.

About halfway through the lesson with the 8-year-old girl, her 10-year-old brother walked into the room. "Did you hear what happened at the marathon?" he asked.

I responded, "Yes, I heard there was an explosion," and intended to leave it at that. He insisted on learning more and turned on the computer. There I sat watching, for my first time and theirs, two bombs detonate among a sea of people. The girl asked me why someone would do that. She also asked why our Army wasn't able to stop it.

I had to share the harsh truth that we can't always stop bad people from doing bad things. However, what we do have control of are ourselves and the best way to contribute to a better world is to share our love. I told them of the incredible power that music holds in bringing people together in a positive, loving way. A perfect example being the drum circle I helped facilitate this past weekend. I showed them pictures, explaining that I went into a community where no one knew who I was. I helped provide the opportunity for people of all ages to make music together, most who had never played before. But the power of drums revealed itself instantly and without fail.

With love, I'd like to share some of the memories with you too.

Pigtown's "Spring Into Health" Festival

Pigtown Spring Into Health Festival 2012

"Ketchup on my body, ketchup on my soul. Ketchup on everything!"

That's the line I'll remember most from last year's "Spring Into Health" Festival. During the two-hour drum circle I facilitated in the southwest Baltimore neighborhood, two preteen boys improvised a melody and lyric. We drummed in celebration of their condiment of choice.

This Saturday, I'll be returning to the annual community festival in Pigtown. The neighborhood is located right by the Ravens and Orioles stadiums, the B&O Railroad Museum, and is the birthplace of Babe Ruth. The festival is organized by Paul's Place, a community center well-known for its programs and services benefiting neighbors who need it most.

Jason of R:evolution Rhythm

This year I'm excited to be co-facilitating with Jason Armstrong Baker of R:evolution Rhythm. I met Jason during a group drumming demonstration he led at Sheppard Pratt in 2010. Jason is a board-certified music therapist and one of the first facilitators I connected with. We went to Princeton, NJ together that September to become trained in the evidenced-based, HealthRHYTHMS protocol. Jason currently runs a weekly workshop with teens at Paul's Place so he and I working together this weekend is a natural fit.

Last year I was joined by participants of all ages and walks of life. The community members, venders, and volunteers shared great feedback and seemed to appreciate my contributions. Many said that Beatwell provided the "heartbeat," injecting life and a positive pulse into the festival. I'm honored to be asked back and can only hope those two boys show up.

Ketchup on everything, indeed!

Pigtown Spring Into Health Festival 2012

Benny Greb Master Session Recap

What an unforgettable week!

Truth be told, I didn't know much about Benny Greb before I was asked to assist him during his first Master Session in the US. I had seen a few clips on YouTube and remember thinking he had great feel, but left it at that. What a great surprise that the drummer I was offered to work with ended up becoming one of my favorite musicians...and even a greater friend.

I picked Benny up at Newark Airport early Wednesday evening. Before he said "Hi," he reached for a hug. We spent 2 1/2 hours traveling north towards the Catskill Mountains, never once turning on the radio. We shared stories and dreams, and he willingly asked questions to help me clarify my business and personal paths. He may have been voted "Best Drum Clinician" three years straight, but I could tell from the start that Benny is much more than a great drum teacher.

His teaching philosophy is rooted in the notion that it's more than just playing the drums—it's about making music. I told him that it goes one step further than drums or music—it's about leading a successful life.

The workshop started on Thursday night, went three full days from 9am-10pm, and wrapped up Monday afternoon. There was plenty of drum instruction, but there was just as much discussion about being a better, kinder, more effective person. In the way that my work is rooted in wellness and enhanced by drumming, Benny's is just the opposite. Still, the coin remains the same.

The workshop connected me to 25 awesome, passionate people from as far as Singapore and Australia. I'm glad to say we will all stay connected. On Sunday we welcomed David Ciauro from Modern Drummer magazine who will be writing a feature piece about the camp. Coincidentally, he is also a drum therapist!

We ate well, were surrounded by the finest nature has to offer, and had fun.

Truly, and by definition—an unforgettable week.

In the upcoming weeks I plan to post more lessons, stories, and pictures from camp. Cheers!