In 1989 I started presenting African drumming programs in
schools as an artist in residence, mainly in New Hampshire. The joy
and enthusiasm of the students during these drumming residencies
was evident to teachers, parents and administrators.
In the early 1990s, as my experience and reputation grew I
was hired regularly by Very Special Arts New Hampshire to present
drumming to physically and emotionally disabled populations. Once
again the drumming produced joy and enthusiasm amongst the students.
As I packed up my drums at the conclusion of each of these residencies I was both fulfilled and disappointed. Fulfilled
by the obvious benefit that everyone derived from the experience
and disappointed that the students wouldn’t have the drums or
this type of drumming program going forward to maintain the benefits
over time.
I was also intrigued by the idea of actually measuring the
benefits that were so obvious anecdotally.
Why is Mary smiling and interacting
with peers for the first time in months?
Why does Peter stay focused for 45 minutes when he is
normally hyperactive?
I began to have conversations with Janice Hastings, the
director of Very Special Arts NH about how I might accomplish these goals of
developing outcome measures and a way to implement a sustainable
drumming program for any interested organization or site.
I never stopped thinking about these ideas and years later,
after a great deal of research and experimentation, I’ve been able
to develop a model that accomplishes the goals of a sustainable
drumming program with outcome measures.
I am now able to deliver a set of 10-15 African drums,
facilitate a 10 session residency with outcome measures for the students and
train staff members to carry on the Drumming/Life skills protocol
that I’ve developed called Drumming for Success.
Persistence has always been my best asset!
-Steve Ferraris
Founder, Root Drumming Systems
www.rootdrummingsystems.com
