free web stats

Living Better Lives

Make a Donation
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

Donate Now Help Now

Donate Now Help Now

Heart Drum

Heart Drum honors the rich legacy of traditional West African drumming, recognized globally for its deep artistic and cultural resonance. We draw inspiration from numerous studies highlighting the therapeutic impact of drumming, especially for young individuals facing challenges and recovering from trauma. Our program integrates this ancient rhythmical art, offering a path to healing and personal growth.

Heart Drum promotes positive interactions, builds community, and increases family engagement among youth from underserved communities across the Central Coast including Salinas, Monterey, and Seaside. We aim to primarily serve youth ages 8 to 19 (all ages are always welcome) from low-income families who could not otherwise afford to pay for enrichment classes. The audiences in our workshops reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the Central Coast. Heart Drum will reach youth enrolled in public schools or community organizations that do not currently offer transformative arts programming.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Heart Drum Program is an enriching and dynamic experience for youth, focusing on world drumming traditions and sound healing. This program blends the art of global rhythms, from West African Djembes to Indian Tablas, with the therapeutic power of sound, fostering creative expression, cultural awareness, and personal growth. Participants engage in drum making, cultural dance, and mindfulness practices, culminating in community performances and personal development. Join us on this rhythmic adventure to explore diverse cultures and discover the healing power of drumming. Key Components of the Program:

  • Global Drumming Lessons
  • Personal Development and Community Connection
  • Rhythmic Healing and Mindfulness
  • Master Classes and Cultural Immersion:
  • Collaboration and Exchange Programs
  • Performance and Celebration

To ensure that students receive a well-rounded experience, each participant will be measured by his or her ability to: 1) Recognize and play basic drum rhythms; and, 2) Connect and apply what is learned in the personal development workshops to their daily lives.

Heart Drum measures the success of its programs based on four criteria:

  • Community Engagement, number of youth served, class hours, class attendance patterns and audience numbers reached,
  • Personal Development, teacher- and self-assessments demonstrating developed social skills among youth participants
  • Education, increased knowledge of West African Drumming and its contributions to world music, and,
  • Events, number of cultural events produced for the public

Music is a complex, dynamic stimulus with an unparalleled ability to stimulate a global network of neural activity involved in attention, emotion, memory, communication, motor coordination and cognition. Studies have indicated the potential for music to support attention and emotional regulation, suggesting therapeutic applications for conditions including ADHD, PTSD, autism, learning disorders and mood disorders. www.frontiersin.org