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Q What happens in a session?

Participants are involved in music making within the first few minutes of the start of the session. They will learn to play as a group, listening and jamming whilst being guided with games, activities, rhythms and songs. It’s about fun, connection, community.

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Q What sort of groups do you work with?

I work with all ages, from nursery upwards through to the elederly! Most of my schools work is with KS1 and 2.

Previous clients include:

• Wheatfields School (a series of ten weeks of workshops) *How Wood School (two weeks with a Year One class), *Radlett Synagogue (Drum circle for over 100 children and small group workshops), *Christian holiday Club (Holiday workshops for teenagers) *Adults beginners percussion group *Oxfam

Upcoming drum sessions in the next few months includes:

• World Music day at St Peters, *Fleetville School Percussion Lunch Club (weekly club)

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Q Which areas of the UK do you cover?

I work in and around Herts and North London. I am based in St Albans. If you are local to me, I can afford to charge less as I have less travel time. I can also put you in touch other facilitators who cover the rest of the UK too.

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Q What are the benefits of drumming?

A recent study reported on the BBC website described how: “It can energise or relax. It can foster a sense of playfulness or release anger and tension. It can also help in the conquering of social isolation and the building of positive relationships.”

There are numerous studies which document the effects of drumming on stress levels, and co-ordination, attention and more recent work has shown links with improved literacy. Drumming is often used in the corporate world for team building: encouraging passionate and effective connections in groups. Drumming is fun and easy. A way in to music playing for all abilities and ages. ↑ Contents

Q What about Drumming and Dyslexia?

I have a particular specialism in drumming with people who have dyslexia. (I am dyslexic too and am a qualified in teaching literacy for Special Educational Needs.)

Teaching children with dyslexia, and facilitating drumming are two major passions, so I decided to combine them to write a programme to support dyslexic children’s literacy using drumming. Please see Drumming and Dyselxia?

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Q So what is a drum circle?

A drum circle is a way of making in-the-moment music with a group, a method pioneered by Arthur Hull, recognised as the father of the modern drum circle.

People get together to play. The room is full of drums shaker and other fantastic percussion. The facilitator gently helps you to make your own funky and fantastic rhythms, through games, exercises and songs. You make the music, she helps! As the session progresses, you notice the group falling into sync… and that you are all part of the music and no one is leading you. You are just making the music together. As the group is making up the music, anything can happen, and the best part is, there are no mistakes! ↑ Contents

Q What about drumming with babies and toddlers?

As well as drumming workshops, I have been running a baby music group since 2003, incorporating drumming, funky songs and rhythms, designed to open up the world of live music to little ones. I can provide sessions involving drumming and percussion for groups from babies upwards… For more information about the sort of work I do with little ones, do check out Mish Mash Music Baby and Toddler Classes?. ↑ Contents

Q Do you do kids parties?

Yes! If you are localish to St Albans. For children from 4 + I bring along heaps of percussion and drums and run party sessions. See LINK HERE For little tiny ones there are 1,2,3 parties involving drumming and lots o songs and games. See LINK HERE. ↑ Contents

Q How do I book a session or contact you to find out more?

Use my Contact Page and I’ll get right back to you to discuss your needs.

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