The Program | The Facilitators

Mission Statement

Drum Facilitation can bring many rewards for the individual and the team and our goal is to deliver a fun, inclusive and interactive program. We aim to promote the universal language of rhythm, through which we can all communicate clearly, share and enjoy ourselves. Within the drum circle, we are all are free to express ourselves in any way and share as much or as little as we wish.
Our goal is to bring new and vibrant rhythms to each and every event, rhythms that are energizing and exhilarating and we aim to bring the language of rhythm to as many as possible regardless of economic, social, physical or mental ability.

The Program

The drumming facilitation usually runs for an hour although length of event is negotiable depending on client requirements. Participants all get a drum and the session begins with a discovery of deliberate sounds that the drum can make i.e. Bass, Slap and tone. Participants are shown the techniques to get these sounds. Then a prescriptive facilitation begins where the group is shown and thought to play certain rhythms that are then interwoven with other rhythms to create a single, inclusive rhythm. As participants become comfortable with their drums and get into the groove the next Part of the program is open and the participants are free to play whatever they wish while the facilitators provide rhythmic support and a ‘groove’.
These two different approaches allow for a degree of self-expression and exploration as well as co-operative teamwork towards the common goal of creating music together.

As part of the program people are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone in a non-threatening way and to experience both themselves and being with others in a new and exciting way. We are continually looking for fresh ideas to incorporate into the program so as to constantly improve the quality of facilitation that is provided.

Shayne Simpson (Main Facilitator)

Shayne Was introduced to the Djembe drum in 1996 and has trained under drum masters from South Africa, Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Ghana and has acquired many priceless traditional tribal rhythms and songs, some of which are used in the facilitation program. He has been facilitating corporate and private drumming events for the past 9 years.

He now also teaches beginners to advanced but still does regular workshops with West African Drummers because as he says “The more you play, the more you learn and the more you learn, the more you can play!”