FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES YOU HAVE YOUR PARTICIPANTS DO IN DRUMMING CIRCLES?
While our programs differ among dementia, assisted living, or toddler groups, we facilitate activities that build retention, mind alertness, coordination development, auditory skills, creative music expression, and so much more! For our regular clients, we introduce new activities, while also repeating previous activities so participants can retain what they’ve learned, and build variety into introducing new activities.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ALSO CONDUCT PRESENTATIONS FOR AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS. CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THIS?
Our presentations cover a variety of topics including goal-setting, team building, leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, and can be customized to what the organization wants. We conduct a presentation on one of the above topics according to what the organization is dealing with. For example, if a company is restructuring, the main topic will be on dealing with change through having perseverance. If we are conducting a presentation to a school, topics can include persevering through hardships, goal-setting, or character.
WHAT DO YOU OFFER THAT IS DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE FROM OTHERS?
It is summed up to two different areas: Our passion for helping other people, and the innovation we bring to all of my services. Enthusiasm is contagious. Participants will witness exuberance and boundless energy in our presentations. The information we share contains substance and is practical and applicable. Additionally, our presentations are not standardized, but customized that meet and exceed the expectations of who we work with. Finally, participants will receive a synopsis handout on what was covered in the presentation so they can review the principles learned on their own or in a group.
HOW ARE THE DRUMS/DREAMS WORKSHOPS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR DRUMMING CIRCLES? HOW ARE THEY NORMALLY SET-UP?
The drums/dreams workshops consists of several different vital subjects in life such as “Being Unified” or “The Winning Edge”. Related drumming activities to each topic are conducted by participants to help release stress and feel involved. Although drumming circles promote life lessons through activities and our discussions, they emphasize the playing and rhythmic aspect so participants can experience creating rhythm, melody, feel, and music. Bottom line – drumming circles are more playing oriented while drums and dreams are a combination of discussion and playing.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU LEAD DRUM CIRCLES?
While we offer one-time programs for special community groups, we strongly recommend monthly or bi-monthly programs for senior communities for multiple reasons. First, regularity fosters continuity. The residents will learn a different musician each time they come. This builds great momentum and instills education in their lives. Second, regular programming builds relationship building. The residents know who we are, we know who they are, and thus, we cultivate a relationship with them. This brings warmth and anticipation to attend our programs. Third, residents will greatly benefit from our program from a health standpoint. While this program is not explicitly music therapy, we integrate many different therapeutic exercises that keep their minds and bodies sharp and alert!
IS THERE A CANCELLATION FEE?
Organizations must contact us at least within a day if they need to cancel a program. It is preferred to give us more advance time, but we understand emergencies such as flu outbreaks occur. Organizations will be charged if we receive day of notice of a cancellation. This doesn’t give our team time to accommodate a make-up program and as a result, this is a loss of time and income for us.
HOW CAN YOU INVOLVE A GROUP OF HIGH LEVEL DEMENTIA RESIDENTS?
You would be surprised with how dementia residents respond! We have lead thousands of programs for various level dementia residents and the response has been astounding! Depending on the level, we emphasize listening, singing along, and engaging them in different exercises. For this type of group, we minimize discussion and maximize activity time so residents are always engaged. For residents who are not able to participate, merely being in the presence of music has tremendous benefits! According to enlivant.com, “Those with dementia and Alzheimer’s have been known to increase communication with others after listening to music since a song can trigger a memory from when they were younger.”
HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU LEAD A PROGRAM FOR TODDLERS?
Surprisingly, young children can also respond to music! Parents of toddlers often use music to calm their children. Singing rhymes or songs conveys love, joy, and comfort for toddlers. In addition, starting toddlers out with music is beneficial! According to brighhorizons.com, a 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. According to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM Foundation), learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and even increase SAT scores (https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-resources/music-and-children-rhythm-meets-child-development).
In our programs, we engage toddlers in sound, tone, basic rhythm, singing, and visualizations. We will show pictures of various objects and toddlers along with staff or their parents will help them interpret what they see musically on their instrument. For example, a picture of a volcano would produce a roaring sound, while a picture of an ocean will convey a relaxing/smooth sound. Using these kinds of techniques help young children learn the basis of rhythm and how to interpret it with a song or visual.
DO YOU PROVIDE ALL THE INSTRUMENTS?
Yes! Our team has invested in a variety of useful instruments that include: shakers, tambourines, various kinds of drums, and more. As we continually look to add value, we also purchase new kinds of instruments the participants can use. During the programs, we sometimes allow participants to switch instruments with each other so they are not bored using the same one.