Drumming for Health and Rhythm, Logic and Community are two drumming workshops that I've developed over a number of years and taught in a variety of contexts.

Drumming for Health is an introduction to drumming focused on community involvement, listening and cooperation. I teach basic hand drum technique and use parts from traditional West African rhythms such as Mangiani, Lindjian and Koukou. We learn to make and maintain strong sounds and rhythms while taking care of our bodies and each others' ears.

I taught this for three years at UCSF Milberry Fitness Center. I've led many drum circles and supported dance and healing workshops for (gosh) more than twenty years. Through some wonderful music therapist friends and their music connections I'm grateful to have been introduced to a healing instrument the mbira, and to workshops like Remo's Health Rhythms.

Rhythm, Logic and Community is geared mainly towards 8 to 18 year olds but, since we are probably all coming of age always, I think the curriculum is relevant to all. Connections between the innate knowledge of our body, mind and spirit are explored and facilitated using a drum circle experience. I taught Rhythmic Structure Easy as ABC! as a professional development workshop for educators sponsored by the Arts Education Funders Collaborative and the San Francisco Arts Commission.

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