To succeed in life, you must be engaged in what is happening around you, and develop strategies to help your mind and body stay focused on whatever you are doing, despite the many distractions at work, at school, and at play.

   Group drumming is a platform where participants interact with the rhythms of your brain to engage their mind and body to reach its peak performance, and to better communicate with those around them. Group drumming is used today to improve non-verbal communications, personal confidence, cognitive function, mobility, and general wellness. The programs are applicable to corporate and sales organizations, families, individuals, sports organizations, and health and wellness centers.

    Widely termed drum circles, it is an age old practice offering new insights today into team building and communications, which can activate key rhythms of your brain. The rhythms of your brain are a collage of many different auditory, visual, and touch sensory patterns which hold the key to specific interactions between the brain and body. Some are learned, while others are innate. These patterns are widely how our minds communicate with our bodies, with others, and with the world around us. The more you know about these patterns, the more happy and healthy you will be in life.

   The science in support of these applications revolves around how we are designed with, and surrounded by, thousands of rhythmic processes tied into planet Earth. It should come as no surprise that our command of audible and inaudible rhythms determines our physical prowess, and in large part, our grasp of language.

    In their simplest form, rhythms are mathematical patterns. But to a pulsing heart, they are sophisticated codes of communication, thought, movement, and cues for voluntary action. Along with centers of our primal brain, and the body's sensory system to touch, time, and space, rhythmic patterns signal the brain when and how to initiate actions like walking, talking, and moving our extremities. In fact, scientists even report how monkeys scored the same on math tests as college students using similar patterning.

    Our awareness and attentiveness to rhythm also affords us a better understanding of time and space, and enables us to perform athletics and coordinated team sports such as football. This makes audible rhythms a perfect training and syncopation tool for team sports. Early humans heavily relied upon purposeful rhythmic hand, body, and audible gestures. Once humans began speaking and living communally, thought to be between 7000 and 25,000 BC, we slowly began loosing our innate skills at understanding body rhythm as language. This is likely why we are so fascinated with music and sports today.

   Group drumming, drum circles, or simply "drumming," refers to the modern practice of organized group play of (mostly) hand percussion instruments for the purpose of communal enjoyment, enhancing communications, health & wellness, and a wide array of other causes. Drumming is much more integrated into our modern living than you would expect. This Modern Applications of Drums and Rhythm lists the many applications where it can be found today. Even within the ranks of the community drum circles and industry leaders, there lies wide speculation as to the "spiritual cleansing" that takes place in drum circles. The photo at right was taken at our full moon drum circle at Aliso Beach (Laguna Beach) in March of 2009. While it is each person's interpretation, there appears to be bonfire images of "animals" or "spirits" rising up from the flames. Fact or fiction? As part of this full moon ritual, participants will write their troubles and worries onto a piece of paper and throw it into the fire.

    The role of rhythm in our daily lives changes as we age. As our necessary survival skills continues to evolve, there is continued optimizing of rhythm's role in our lives. Factors like age, health, neurological development, geography, and quality of life also impact our ability to optimize our understanding of "rhythm codes." These codes influence our physical health, bodily coordination, intellectual capacity (comprehension, voluntary thought, action), and inter-personal communication (i.e. work, community, family). It is critical that we maintain our rhythm skills to remain competitive, healthy, and properly connected to those around us. Regrettably, our increasing reliance on electronic communications and technology may NOT permit sufficient exposure to needed communication rhythms. While electronic communications and artificial intelligence offers many benefits, it is yet to replace live human interaction. We still require human rhythm codes. They make up the subtle vibrations and sometimes overt body movements we glean from each other. Whether this could occur through remote and/or telepathic communications, is unclear - but certainly possible based on what we know about the universe.

    Using various drums and percussion instruments, Stephen demonstrates how the human body is a transceiver and receiver of rhythmic cues involved in every thought, action, and inter-personal communication. He  designs drum applications to help users improve rhythmic skill and attentiveness, business and personal communications, syncopation in sports, balance and coordination, and intellectual capacity. His presentations are a combination of lecture, instruction, and entertainment - depending on the audience. He appears at business expos, companies, sports team events, drum and music concerts, fundraising benefits, educational summits, and health and wellness expos.

    On the public relations (PR) front, we earlier launched a new awareness campaign on the benefits of rhythm and musical percussion in learning, entitled, "Play Rhythm, Be Smart." This campaign is designed to inform organizations, schools, and the public on the many benefits of performing rhythm and percussion. We are also promoting (through PR) rap and hip-hop artists to write/record 2nd copy (less offensive language version) of some popular songs so they may be more readily listened to by non-adult audiences. And also on the PR front, we are promoting a philanthropic music and drum circle outreach proposal designed to get funding and support for inner city and at-risk teens who are interested in playing and competing with live percussion, and in conjunction with rap/hip-hop vocals.

    Hear Stephen on YouTube in a local interview on drumming and the rhythms of the brain.  View his Power Point presentations on Drumming and Engaging the Rhythms of your Brain.  Be patient, it takes 15-20 seconds to load.  You can also view the Adobe Acrobat file.  If the Power Point slides do not play automatically, select "slide show" and in the top left corner select "from the beginning." To view options during play, right-click your mouse on your screen and make your selection.

Drumming Applications & Benefits:

1. Team-Building:

For Corporate, Sports Teams, Organizations, Community, Family, Marriage, and Individual Therapy

2. Communications:

Non-verbal Language Development for Corporate Clients, Sports Teams, Organizations, Community, Family, Marriage, and Individual Therapy

3. Wellness Programs:

Disease Management (eg. cancer, diabetes, neurological, heart), Stress Reduction, Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Fitness, Balance & Coordination, Sensory Processing Disorder, Health & other Organizations, Community, Family, Marriage, and Individual Therapy

4. Spiritual Journeys:

Supports & Enhances Outcomes with Spiritual Ceremonies and Practices, for Corporate, Organizations, Churches, Community, Family, and Individuals

5. Nature & the Environment:

Connect & Enhance a Variety of Nature and Ecological Events for Community, Organizations, Community, Misc Groups, Family, and Individuals

6. Music & Entertainment:

Drumming Enlightens a Variety of Musical, Sports, and Entertainment Events

Print:  Dolle Communications Drumming Post Card

Join us at:

                                   OCDC Group      OCDC Group      Temple of Light

Drum Circles & Event Photos:

Outreach & Organizations

Chabad Temple of Mission Viejo

Stephen poses w/ Dara Linson, Program Coordinator

Wellness Programs

Costa Mesa Senior Center

Travel Fit Club

Garden Grove (H Louis Lake) Senior Center

High Hopes Head Injury Center of Orange County

New Directions for Women, Costa Mesa

Spinal Cord Injury Association of Orange County & OC Goodwill Center

UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Medicine Center, Women's Wellness Day 2010 (photos below)

Community & Music Outreach

Friendship Shelter Laguna

Santa Ana Artist Village (photo below)

Youth Programs

YMCA After School Programs, Santa Ana

Summer Drumming Program, Girls Inc. of Orange County

Free Download: Girls Inc. Drumming Program Course Description

Eco-Festivals

Surf 24 Event, Huntington Beach, CA (photos below)

Green Valentine Festival, Laguna Beach

Green Go Enterprises Eco-Festival

Earth Hour, Laguna Beach (photo below)

Animals & Nature

Drumming for Snow - and it snowed! (Kaelin Ski Store, photo below)

Drumming with Horses w/ Melba & Roy Slavin

Private Parties Drum Circles

Sheila Peterson & Family (photos on family blog)

Jack Bicer & Family

"I just wanted to thank you again for the highlight of the evening.  Your drum circle touched many people and they discovered something about their passions they never knew they had ." Lina Bicer

Personal Development

Drumming & Guided Meditation w/ Stacey Hentschel

In the video below, Stephen facilitate 150 plus drummers & a flute player, Laguna Beach, July 2010.

    The drum circle sites pictured here reveal a few of the ways drumming can be applied to large groups of people. Pictured are the amphitheatre on the grounds of the Central Coast YMCA, Aliso Beach State Park in Laguna Beach, the Grand Ballroom at the Hilton Hotel in Newport Beach, and a convention hall in Toronto.

    As humans, we have a multitude of brain wave patterns and physical body rhythms which we use in non-verbal communication, physical movement, and physical survival.  Our earlier ancestors were more in tune to these "rhythms" as they were far more involved in hunting and physical work and body communications than we are today. With the industrial revolution of the last 150 years bringing about major shifts in our use of physical labor and person to person body communications, people in the West are becoming increasingly distanced from our more "rhythmic" beginnings.

    In its place, we are substituting sports and music to satisfy our many rhythmic needs and interests. And there is a distinction between "rhythmic needs" and "rhythmic interests." Certain rhythms, such as those patterns we use in cognition and memory, everyday movement, sex and love-making, and those that are needed for our psyche and happiness - are ones we need to experience and express on a regular basis in order to survive. Others might be viewed as more discretionary and relating to personal interests, sports, and/or work.

   Non-verbal communications comprise a critical aspect of dialogue and relationships in the corporate and sales setting. Whether a customer or fellow employee might be offended or mis-informed about what is said to them is as much dependant upon the body language of the person speaking, as the actual words used. In a mutual conversation. it is the responsibility of the listener to be attentive to the speaker's message - both verbal and non-verbal. Both parties need to be attentive to the body language and vocal intonations, termed "rhythmic code." The same goes for sales staff and customers in a sales setting. The following discussion explains how a drum circle can be used as a team building and non-verbal communications exercise in the corporate or business setting. 

   We feature a specific drum circle application to improve sales communications between salespersons and customers at an auto dealership. Here, a staff of five salespeople are on the floor during most hours of operation. This dealership, like many others do, has a policy that sales staff are to take turns on new approaching customers. Here is how a drum circle was used to improve customer/salesperson relations.

   Very often at auto dealerships, by the time a prospective customer reaches the entry way of the facility, they report being starred down by over-anxious sales staff. Customers widely report feeling uncomfortable shopping at U.S. auto dealerships. In one instance, a woman was seeking information on a car and reported she felt mugged. There was an exchange of body language, a brief verbal exchange, and the customer was escorted to look over several cars. The woman shared she felt every salesperson within sight was groping her pocketbook with eye and body language. Even though the others were not helping her, they groped all the same. She reported she couldn't wait to see what she came to see - and get out.

   This experience would seem a dysfunctional way to buy or get information on a car, and would seem to also harm sales at this auto dealership. We introduced a "drum circle" of djembes and assorted small percussion to train their sales staff on how to be attentive to body rhythm and body language, and communicate a more conducive message to customers. We were to teach sales staff how to greet customers with welcoming and trusting body language - using drums and percussion. Each salesperson was given an instrument and instructed how to play it using their body. They were instructed how the rhythms they played, and their body language, is a direct reflection of what they are thinking. In other words, their body language and vibrations transmit their true intent to customers. Their attentiveness to these vibrations also enhances their team building ability to coordinate daily work activities.

   In a drum circle, it's important to be aware of the courteous and attentive manner in which the participants interact rhythmically with each other, as it becomes a collective rhythm or conversation. This says a lot about how they are perceived by customers who visit the dealership. The team building concept is strengthened by way of participants creating a collective sound as a team. In the business world, salespeople who work as a team are usually more successful. And - customers tend to buy from successful people and businesses.

   As a drumming participant, you learn how to respond after making a mistake. You acknowledge this via a nod of eye contact and body language. We taught participants to establish one collective rhythm that would be favorable to customers. We taught them to visualize being on the sales floor or lot while playing. The proper team energy is critical and contagious, and will draw others into your group, and your circle. People are attracted to things that are true and special. Every drum circle is special. Every customer relationship is special!

   After completion of six drum circle workshops, the sales staff became more aware of their body language and the team concept. They were more confident and exuded welcoming non-verbal communication, as well as the same in verbal interaction. Even when it was not their customer, they knew how their body language could support each sale - and how this process in turn helped their own sales.

   The above example illustrates the importance of proper body language in customer sales communications. As you play drum rhythms with your body, you learn to sharpen your non-verbal communication and team building skills. Your body transmits what you are thinking. And your body language in large part determines whether customers will like you, trust you, and buy from you - and how you will be received by co-workers.

   Non-verbal communications, body rhythm codes, and team building are critical in on-field communications and play execution in college and NFL football games. Here, players (and coaching staff) must not only read non-verbal cues from teammates, coaches, and opponents, but they must execute every play with flawless 11-man syncopation. This syncopation of movement, time, and space against the unknown of same of an opponent over a 10 second play, applying as much attentiveness, direction, and interpretation as possible, is known in college and NFL football as play execution. But, is it possible to plan and train to specific rhythms? The answer is "yes."

   A football play involves the collective movement of body rhythms of 22 players, 11 on each side moving in an opposing direction with only one ball.  If one wants to successfully move the ball and persons protecting it, one must appropriately interpret the body language or rhythm code of each opponent, with some support from sideline coaches. The movements and rhythmic codes are recorded on various play and visual formats, analyzed, and implemented on the field. As every person walks and runs with a unique body language or rhythm code, coaching staff must evaluate this and assemble teams of 11 men to carry out a syncopated act or play. In game situations, rhythmic codes are involved in: 1) communications between teammates and coaches, 2) reads of intent and reacting to the movement of opposing players (and their sideline), 3) responding and adapting a team rhythm to external rhythms such as fans and weather conditions, and 4) real time play execution and syncopation (time, athletic advantage, and space). And if there weren't already enough to do, teams must deal with player injuries, substitutions, player psyches, and different cognitive and concentration levels.

   Drum and drum circle workshop training has enumerable team building applications in college and NFL football. They include: assembling the best matched players on a squad, skills training, play preparation and syncopation, team communications, unity, proper psyche, and pregame preparation to mention a few. A drum circle workshop then offers four specific benefits: improving non-verbal communication, strengthen player intellect and sense of time and space (athleticism), strengthen player and coach attentiveness around them, and help build team unity and spirit. Football programs employ a variety of cadence training and off-field methods to achieve team syncopation. Undoubtedly, what sets each apart are their tools, preparation, and discipline.

   Let's introduce a drum circle of tan tans and large and mid-size djembes to the offense of a football program. The drum circle facilitator initially will play a particular rhythm that audibly mirrors the rhythmic code or movement of each player. You want each player to "hear" the rhythms of each other.  As the quarterback (QB) sets the timing of the offensive plays, he must initiate and hold the anchor or core rhythm of the offensive drum circle, preferably with a mid to large djembe. He must also be attentive to every player's rhythm in the circle, and make the call to adapt when needed. The center (C) plays the largest bass or tan tan, and plays the root bass beat of the rhythm. The guards (G) play bass beats either on tan tan or large djembes. The tackles (T) are on large djembes and play a combination of fill, and bass fill. The tight ends (TE) are on mid-size djembes and play fill off each other, the QB, and the group. The fullback is on a larger djembe and plays a variety of fill, bass, and lead rhythms off of the QB, RBs, and offensive line, consistent with his role as lead blocker, running back, or receiver. The running backs (RB) play lead and bass fill rhythms on mid-size djembes, consistent with blocking, running, or receiving roles. This method teaches the players to be attentive to each other, to adapt to the rhythm code opportunities of the circle (and its  time and space), to be supportive of the entire team movement and syncopation, and lead when opportunity presents. This helps players become more aware of a teammate's body rhythm through audible mirroring, and learning to better trust reads, time, and space judgment as they assume lead roles.

   Let's introduce a separate drum application for the QB. Using a single bass tan tan and mallets on the field, the drum circle facilitator observes the QBs body rhythms and footwork as he executes various snaps and plays, and creates audible rhythms that mirror his movements, and records it. He then instructs the QB to play specific rhythms on the tan tan to simulate his various drop back and release motions with the ball. The QB should be standing and play the drum with his entire body, each beat in synchronization with every step and turn. This football drill teaches the QB to be better in synch in the pocket, more aware of elapsed time after a snap, and is an excellent warm-up drill before the start of games.

   Lastly, let's touch on a "team building" drum circle. Its purpose is to open up communications, bridge divides, and strengthen the whole of the team, albeit any sports team or organization. Football teams, such as the Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, and UCLA Bruins come to mind. A few drum circles can change the dynamics of a team by allowing participants to employ drums, body language, and audibles  - in an arranged setting. This setting encourages unlikely participants to step up and lead a rhythm conversation, and can have long lasting effects on a team.  The setting and message also impacts the outcome. For instance, a quiet room or outdoor setting, allows for more provocative thought. Whereas, a circle at night around a fire, becomes a definitive morale and energy booster. The drum circle facilitator will instruct participants what and how to play based on the needs of the organization.

   Rumor has it the New England Patriots in 2007 implemented new play timing communications. Their syncopation and team play was near flawless - like that possible thru extensive rhythm training. As the 2009 NFL season gets underway, and the likelihood that Michael Vick will play again this season with an NFL team, Vick's performance will greatly depend on his ability to get into rhythm with the rest of his offense. Vick's inability to syncopate his rhythm and movements with the Atlanta Falcon offense ultimately contributed to his poor off field judgment and legal troubles that landed him in prison. Michael Vick would benefit greatly through group drumming.

   We offer an array of applications and programs for football, basketball, baseball, and other sports.

   Drum and rhythm training helps the individual to better use his/her body as an extension of cognitive thought to cue movement. By relieving some of the cognitive load on the brain, you effectively become smarter. Our drum training methods teach participants to better conceptualize rhythmic patterns, and carry out progressions in extended formats, far more than one could count using the ordinary counting skill of the brain. This method awakens not so often areas of the "primal brain." Along with the body's sense of time and space, our brains track precise rhythmic patterns and communicate these signals to the appropriate limbs for "when and how" to walk, talk, and perform specific actions. You can move with significantly less dependence on voluntary thought by training movement with rhythm and beat. You've heard many stories of people who stuttered, yet could sing beautifully. Or could dance, but could barely walk. The secret is in the rhythm ability of the body to recognize drum beats.

   As we age, and similarly after brain injury or onset of certain neurological disorders, precise voluntary control of physical movement becomes compromised. A myriad of physical therapy and balance training methods are used to re-teach and strengthen key centers of the brain. In sports like football, quarterbacks must work tirelessly on hand, eye, and footwork syncopation to be deliver a football in split-second time. Similarly, the popular dance pad video game uses music and rhythm to improve foot coordination and balance.

   Some drum training methods can be done individually at home, others in group settings. The objective is to teach each participant to initiate actions like walking, talking, and eating with less voluntary thought -  moving to a rhythm, using time structure and awareness of the body. We often ask participants to select a fun rhythm they can effortlessly play or tap. The facilitator then selects the upbeat or downbeat to cue the desired activity. Cues can be carried out through "tapping" the hand or fingers for everyday activities. 

   We helped an individual with balance and walking skills after a brain injury. He had difficulty navigating his way around a small living quarters. We taught rhythm patterns to match steps and turns he commonly made in his residence, teaching him to tap out the upbeats and downbeats on his thigh and hip - corresponding to turning, stepping, and bending to pick things up. This method engages the less voluntary action of the cerebellum (and body rhythm) to cue the legs and feet, with less of a physical challenge. Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), post TBI, or stroke who have a lot of difficulty standing and initiating walking can use this rhythm and cue method to better their mobility. Those with autism require more hands-on instruction and specific rhythms.

   A senior center had been conducting a weekly step class to help patrons maintain their walking and balance skills. They had been playing music of various beat patterns. We came in with a tan tan and large djembe drum, and taught them a simple step pattern to keep to a beat we created. Then we gave them a simple jingle to remember the rhythm - to practice and use as they walked about at their residence.