WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
Chris has been bringing Breaking Grounds in Drumming to the independent living residents of Friendship Village for several years and we look forward to many more! This program engages our residents on multiple levels such as rhythm exploration and music history. I rely on Chris to bring an entertaining, interesting and therapeutic class to our residents and he always delivers. Our residents leave the class feeling relaxed yet energized!”
Jeannette Magdaleno, Manager of Life Long and Volunteer Services | Friendship Village of Schaumburg
For over a decade, Chris has been “instrumental” (pun intended) in providing a truly joyful experience to those attending his program at the Arlington Heights Senior Center. What started as a pilot “drumming circle” in June 2007 has expanded to be a monthly offering of drum therapy that continues to draw new, as well as repeat, attendees every month. All these years later, Chris continues to lead each session with the same enthusiasm with which he started. He not only teaches, but listens. He not only motivates everyone to be free and have fun with the drumming beats, but he also shares his positivity with everyone he meets. In my 15 years working at the Arlington Heights Senior Center, I’m happy to say that Chris is the kindest and most accommodating person with whom I’ve had the pleasure to work. He conducts his business in a professional manner and provides a personal touch to what he does...and
that serves as an inspiration to others, myself included!!
Karie Van Grinsven, Program Coordinator | Arlington Heights Senior Center
Alex has been an amazing friend to our folks here at Eve Assisted Living! His natural talent to bring joy and recollection brings forth so much comfort. We all look forward to his Drum Circle and his genuine fondness for what he does. Thank you, Alex!
Anna Fraczkowska, Eve Assisted Living
and Memory Care | Hinsdale, IL
Drumming Circle is engaging, educational and hands on which our residents enjoy!
Lori Walocha, Director of Activities | Belmont Village of Buffalo Grove
Breaking Grounds in Drumming provides uplifting and spiritually strengthening
programs that feed the soul through the gift of music!
Dan Roeder | Brookdale Hoffman Estates
Breaking Grounds in Drumming is a wonderful company and provides an excellent service! Both Chris and Alex are so engaging with our residents and very knowledgeable about music and how it enhances our lives! I would recommend them to any community looking to enrich their programming. It's always a fun and educational way to get residents involved.
Janelle Schuppner, Engage Life Director | Atria at River Trail
I would like to share my warm thoughts about Alex’s style of approach with our seniors at Friendship Village. Alex has created an uplifting style in getting our
residents motivated.
Joshlyn Johnson, Lifestyles Circle of Friends Coordinator | Friendship Village of Schaumburg.
The first Monday of every month my residents know to gather in the activity room because Chris is coming! Breaking Grounds in Drumming is more than just a music program. Every month they focus on a different musical artist or group and learn about the historical importance of their contribution. Chris has been coming to Sunrise of Gurnee since 2010 and he always brings something new so the residents are always being challenged. They learn how to listen to rhythms and follow the beats with their instruments as their eyes are closed. Chris engages with each resident and even speaks Greek with two residents! You can tell the passion that Chris has for music and sharing that with the residents makes their day.
Keelan Goettsch, Activity and Volunteer Coordinator | Sunrise Senior Living, Gurnee IL
Alex is a gem of a person, talented musician, and engaging performer. The Autumn Leaves residents, staff, and families love to see Alex each month! Alex brings so much energy and enthusiasm to our building. Alex is a unique young man that comes to our building with a delightful personality welcoming each resident and calling them by name. His personal touch and recollection of individual likes make him a winner with all! He is a master musician thru his knowledge of musical composition, vast array of songs, entertainers, and different eras of music. He brings to us the drums, tambourines, and other instruments. By involving the residents and getting each of them to participate, he keeps them yearning for more. We have seen non verbal residents and quiet residents come to life with his personal touch. Alex makes each resident feel loved and cared for. Any facility or individuals getting the opportunity to work with Alex are in for a real treat.
Edi Thompson, Life Engagement Manager | Gurnee Autumn Leaves
Chris Lavidas who is the innovator and owner of “Breaking Grounds in Drumming” has been doing a Drum Circle with our residents for the last 6 years. Chris is innovative in his approach, and works so well with our residents especially those living with dementia. It is a thrill to see the way residents react to the music and being able to feel successful at something like making music themselves. It is such a positive experience for everyone involved. I have seen residents who are non-verbal get involved in the music. Chris has a musician featured each month, and it is always one the residents can relate to. This is very important again, because those with some memory loss, can always remember their favorite “oldies”. Higher functioning residents in Assisted Living also enjoy this program, so it truly is one that is appropriate for many levels. I can’t say enough about the impact that this program has had on our residents at Brighton Gardens.