Production of percussion shows and workshops

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FOR TEACHERS

Experience the Transformative Power
of Rhythm.

Drum Circle Facilitator & Professional development
for teachers

These workshops are designed for anyone interested in starting a drumming circle, for educators at the elementary, middle and secondary levels – including kindergarten, early childhood, community service workers, parents as well as community health professionals

We are available for drumming workshops and performances throughout Canada, USA and in the world!

Contact Us

How is this session related to teaching practice?

Specific studies conducted by professionals in the fields of music therapy and mental health show that rhythm: Reduces tension, and anxiety stress, connects people, and promotes collaboration. As well as the physical transmission of rhythmic energy to the brain actually synchronizes the left and right hemispheres. The Malicounda program complements teachers’ mission in their curriculum of education. Through their involvement in the various rhythm activities, participants will practice leadership, creativity, concentration, peer bonding, and teamwork fostering collaboration and harmony; essential qualities for achieving success at school.

Participants will enjoy building communication skills as they realize that, to produce a harmonious performance, they need to listen and engage one another to achieve synchronicity, coordination, discipline, and focus in executing a group performance. Teachers will leave the workshop with new creative ideas (songs, rhythm games, body percussion, and drum circle facilitation techniques) and educational materials adapted to each age group that will stimulate and enrich children’s lives!

Workshops available in person or virtual

1. Music and Rhythm Workshop 

2. Drum Circle Facilitator, accessible to all 

1. Music and Rhythm Workshop

What is more powerful than music to inspire children’s activities?

With traditional drums, percussion instruments from around the world, and “home-grown” instruments: buckets, sticks, plastic bowls, jars/bags of rice or beans, and spoons artistic director, Louise Raymond guides participants through rhythms, and songs in different languages: English, French, Spanish and African dialects, as well as stories, dance and games activities using a unique improvisation technique from Arthur Hull, Californian.

The workshop culminates with sample improvisational activities that create a rich learning environment for children.

Through this workshop, participants will acquire powerful new tools to integrate into their classroom that will stimulate artistic and intellectual creativity in children and reinforce cognitive development.

Workshop participants will leave with tools and ideas to encourage children to explore their sense of rhythm and celebrate community!

2. Drum Circle Facilitator Workshop

Experience the transformative power of rhythm!

This intensive workshop offers beginning and advanced Drum Circle Facilitators the skills to lead rhythm-based events for groups of all sizes and backgrounds.

This interactive workshop provides participants with the necessary tools to facilitate a drum circle using an innovative method created 30 years ago by Californian, Arthur Hull.

The workshop is built on a foundation of rhythms, percussive techniques, improvisation, body percussion, and rhythm activities using various instruments from around the world. Participants learn to find their own rhythm while listening to the other drummers.

The participants experience great enjoyment and stress release as they come to realize that in order to produce a harmonious performance, they need to listen to one another and then engage with synchronism, coordination, discipline, and concentration.

Professional development that has been presented (2003-2025)

ORFF Chapters: Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver and Montreal, Canada

APIC, French Immersion National Convention in Canada

SEBIC, International Baccalaureats Convention in Quebec, Canada

CCTCA, Convention des enseignants (es) à Calgary, Alberta, Canada

NCTCA, North Central Convention pour la région du Nord de l Alberta, Association, Edmonton, Canada

PDTCA, Palliser District Teachers Convention Association, Canada

GETCA, Greater Edmonton Teachers Convention, Edmonton, Canada

Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, C.-B., Canada

FAMEQ, Fédération de la musique, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Okanagan University, C.-B., Canada

Capilano College in North Vancouver, Early Childhood Educator, Canada

Music for Young Children, Naramata, B. C., Canada

CCRR Pacific Care, Nanaimo

Kamloops CCRR, B. C., Canada

Quesnel, CCRR, B. C., Canada

William Lake, CCRR, B. C., Canada

Shuswap Child Care Resource & Referral, CCRR, B. C., Canada

Sooke CCRR, B. C., Canada

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BENEFITS

  • Drumming

    • Drumming enhances the ability to focus the mind, stimulate cognitive development, and release stress. It also activates multiple brain systems.
    • Drumming increases self-esteem and results in a sense of empowerment and enhanced ability to focus.
    • Drumming allows people to recognize new possibilities and discover their own natural talent that is inherent in everybody.

  • Music

    • Playing musical instruments can improve fine motor coordination, help to focus and give self-discipline, and this will help children with behavioral problems.
    • Playing music helps children develop self-esteem, as they feel a sense of accomplishment in producing a rhythm or melody.
    • Music motivates children to participate in a group activity and usually produces a positive emotional response.
    • Music engages a variety of learning styles, integrates multiple human intelligences and creates a communal experience.

  • Movement activities

    • All of the movement activities will help children to develop critical thinking, creativity, memory, learning skills, self knowledge and self control.
    • It increases their ability to cooperate with others.
    • Through movement activities, children will also experience space and body awareness and will develop mutual caring/sharing and respect in a creative environment.
    • These activities enhance the children’s listening skills, refines their awareness and allows them to experience the joy of self-expression.

  • RHYTHM

    • Music and rhythm access your brain through your emotions.
    • It allows children to make connections between language, cognition, expression, and culture. The rhythm helps to increase motivation, interest, and enjoyment.
    • Rhythm improves an individual’s range of motion, joint mobility/agility/strength, balance, coordination, respiration patterns, and muscular relaxation.
    • Rhythm helps to develop brain waves. The body has a natural rhythm and when the children hear the external rhythm it makes them feel in harmony and synchronized. It makes them feel balanced. Thinking is clearer and they are not distracted.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

This drumming circle was just wonderful! Drumming is an underappreciated form of creativity, self-expression and distressing. Everyone should have a drum!

Thank you for a completely new experience! Many ideas for all ages @experience. I never realized drumming could address so many different educational goals!

Best Workshop I went to! Keep this presenter every year

Best Session of the Convention. Very practical and hands-on. Learning by doing!

Thank you so much for presenting such an amazing workshop! Our Calgary Teachers are so lucky to have been able to share this experience with you! With heartfelt thanks.

The Calgary Orff Chapter

This was such a fun and interactive experience for adults. I enjoyed that it was not intimidating and everyone felt comfortable participating. We learned so much about the different instruments and rhythms. Louis is an awesome facilitator.
Your music brings joy to all!

I just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. There was a great instruction. A good balance of learning about the musical instruments, learning how to use them through movement, reading stories, and play. I took this workshop 20 years ago and Louise inspired, the workshop inspired me to create my own kit of musical instruments from around the world. Alongside the CD over the last 30 years I shared this experience with schools and centres that I worked alongside. Thank you for what you do and thank you for sharing your passion.

Tamara Syms, Toy Librarian and Program Support Administrator (she/her)