Performing for students

I recently had a great time when I traveled  to  The Marvelwood School in Kent, Connecticut, to facilitate a drumming event for students and faculty. We did two sessions in the afternoon, and each session had 75 participants.

I started the sessions by playing a solo on the drum set for the students (pictured left). This is the newest aspect of a Path To Rhythm program, I am incorporating more drum set oriented performances to start off the group drumming activities. It gets the group pumped up and in the groove, and I get to have fun and share my talent. I was also joined by my friend and faculty member, Tracy Walton, who played bass and laid down a serious groove for us to play with.

For the remainder of the session the students participated in a drum circle,  got a chance to jam together, and created a Marvelwood group chant using voices and drums. You can see more about the event and watch a video on Marvelwood’s Facebook Page.

Also check out this video below.

CSI High School Part II

Today I returned to the College of Staten Island High School for International Studies as part of a  Teaching Artist in Residence that I was awarded this year.

The music teacher, Mrs. Packowski had me work with three of her music classes. The students had already been working on hand drumming and percussion this semester. I was able to come in and show them some South American clave rhythms, and work on solidifying the arrangements of the pieces that they already had in place. All three classes sounded excellent and are going to rock their Spring Concert on May 21!

This was also a special evening for CSI as it was their first Community Drum Circle. The drum circle format is an effective community building tool, and the activity completely supports the school’s mission.

“The mission of The College of Staten Island (CSI) High School for International Studies is to prepare students for college and, ultimately, success in an interconnected world. All students will study world history, languages and affairs; all classes focus on developing student literacy and critical thinking skills. When students graduate from this innovative, small school, they will have the necessary knowledge and skills to build a strong foundation for a career in an internationally oriented profession and to participate responsibly and ethically as a global citizen.”

Over forty participants came out to play in rhythm together as a community. There were students, teachers, parents, and siblings. People were smiling and having fun. The positive energy of the circle was dedicated to healing the earth in honor of Earth Day.

It is an honor for me to be a part of this innovative school and I look forward to returning again.

C.S.I. part 1…

College of Staten Island High School for International Studies recently awarded me a Teaching Artist Residency. What does this mean? It means that I have the privilege of going to work with some amazing students at a brand new High School in Staten Island, NYC.

I have worked with the music teacher and four of her music classes, teaching her students group drumming and rhythm. In addition, I have given presentations to two senior advisory classes, one of which the theme was “Embracing fear and developing leadership qualities”. The other was entitled “Developing the quality of empathy”, both presentations included an analogy and opportunity for students to experience leading a group of their peers through a drumming sequence.

I had a great experience and I look forward to returning!

Check out this Animoto trailer that one of the teacher’s put together…