Interactive Drumming and Experiential Wellness
Interactive Drumming and Experiential Wellness
by Robert J. Damm
Percussive Notes
Volume 63
No. 5
October
2025
This article highlights an event featuring various interactive drumming workshops and wellness sessions aimed at fostering community, wellness, and social connection through percussion. Participants can engage in activities such as drumming for special-needs populations, sound baths utilizing therapeutic instruments, and exploring the cultural significance of women in drumming circles. Renowned instructors like Steve Turner, Arin Levy, Cindy Jones, and Leon Mobley lead these sessions, emphasizing drumming as a powerful tool for inclusion, healing, cultural expression, and human rights advocacy
The world’s most inspiring gathering of rhythm, culture, and connection is calling you! PASIC is proud to offer interactive drumming workshops, clinics, and experiential wellness sessions that highlight how percussion can be a powerful tool to build community, foster wellness, enhance communication, and promote human rights.
STEVE TURNER
Sharing Rhythm and Spirit with our Special-Needs Communities
This interactive session will empower facilitators to connect with individuals with disabilities through rhythm-based activities that inspire inclusion, joy, and self-expression. Steve’s Giving Tree Music has provided interactive and team building drum circles around the USA for over 25 years. He works with schools, hospitals, corporate groups, seniors, and special-needs groups. He uses drums as the vehicle to transport a group of people to a place of stronger community and to foster deeper connections with each other. This workshop is about how to facilitate teamwork, respect, understanding, empathy, and accessibility through drumming.
ARIN LEVY
Community Sonic Meditations and Sound Bath
This will be a transformative exploration of sound using instruments beloved in yoga studios worldwide: gongs, crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, Koshi chimes, and more. As sound baths and “sound healing” gain global momentum, this clinic offers the opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the therapeutic power of vibration and resonance. Dr. Arin Levy (they/them) is a Denver-based percussionist, sound artist, and educator of Cuban-American heritage, dedicated to crafting immersive sonic experiences that inspire reflection and connection. As the founder of Enso Sounds & Healing Arts, Arin tours throughout Colorado and across the U.S., performing over 50 sound meditation events each year.
CINDY JONES
Calling of the Women in Drum Circle
This workshop will explore the role of world drumming as it relates to history, culture, and human rights. This session is about drumming as a tool for communication and teaching participants to listen, respond, and express in deeply human ways. Cindy, a drummer for over 25 years, embodies contagious enthusiasm. She is described as a “warrior-facilitator of unrestrained playfulness!”
The IDC is honored to present M’Bemba Bangoura, a world-renowned master drummer from Guinea, West Africa, in a powerful session on traditional djembe drumming. M’Bemba will share rhythms passed down for generations and offer insights into their cultural significance and community-building impact.
M’BEMBA BANGOURA
Traditional Djembe Drumming
The IDC is honored to present M’Bemba Bangoura, a world-renowned master drummer from Guinea, West Africa, in a powerful session on traditional djembe drumming. M’Bemba will share rhythms passed down for generations and offer insights into their cultural significance and community-building impact.
LATE NIGHT DRUM CIRCLE AND CLOSING DRUM CIRCLE
These eventsare availablefor PASIC attendees who want to be creative, improvise, and express themselves musically in a safe, judgment-free environment. Drumming together creates a sense of unity and shared rhythm, helping people feel connected regardless of background or experience.
DRUM CIRCLE FACILITATORS WORKSHOP
The annual Drum Circle Facilitators Workshop will be led by legendary percussionist Leon Mobley. Known for his work with Ben Harper and his lifelong dedication to West African drumming, Mobley’s session will focus on djembe traditions.
Wednesday, Nov. 12; 1:00–5:00 p.m.; $50.00.
What you will learn: Djembe History and Origin; Drumming As Communication; Djembe Components and Maintenance; Basic Djembe Technique (Interactive); Introduction to Rhythms (Interactive); Practice a piece to record or perform live (Interactive).
Who Should Attend: Music educators; Percussion students and professionals; Community drummers; Anyone interested in global rhythm traditions. No experience necessary — just bring your hands and your energy!
About Leon Mobley: At age seven, Leon studied under the tutelage of Babatunde Olatunji, world renowned Nigerian master drummer. By age ten, Leon was a cast member on the Emmy award winning PBS program ZOOM. Leon went on to study music and education at UMass Boston before moving to California, where he started his dance company Djembe West African Drummers and Dancers. He also began his own musical group, Leon Mobley and Da Lion, which produced six albums and countless performances throughout the United States. He recorded and performed with many notable artists including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Mick Jagger, Madonna, Damian and Stephen Marley, the Temptations, Dave Matthews, Joss Stone, and Stevie Wonder.
