ABOUT
DANCING DRUM
Dancing
Drum’s mission is to provide
a forum for people of all ages to participate
in the universal language of rhythm
through drumming, dancing, geographical
and multi-cultural education, and performance.
Our program embraces the power of the
drum for positive personal transformation
and community-building. Drumming is
accessible to everybody and builds
skills in music-making, listening,
cooperation, contributing, respecting,
and connecting.
Steve Campbell and Lindsay
Rust are
professional artists and educators who perform
and teach together as Dancing Drum. Since 2002,
they have worked with over 50,000 people from California
to the Midwest through Interactive Performances,
School Residency Programs, Drum Workshops, Mask-Making
Workshops, and Classes & Special
Events at the Dancing
Drum Rhythm & Art Center.
Dancing Drum's Youth Programs aim
to set a national standard for high quality, meaningful, engaging,
and innovative arts education. Our programs are inter-disciplinary
in nature, and designed to present a well-rounded view of the
important place that art has in life. Ultimately, we hope to
build stronger self-confidence, better cooperative social skills,
greater awareness of the world, and a transformational community
experience for schools. We help all of our students feel successful
and proud of their accomplishments.
Much
of the content presented in Dancing
Drum programs has been gathered during
extensive research travels in Africa,
the Caribbean, Asia, and throughout
the US. One of our goals is to “bring
the world home” and we work hard
to keep our information authentic and
engaging.
In December 2006, Dancing Drum traveled
to Thailand at the invitation of Tycoon
Percussion. Spending 2 weeks in Bangkok,
we designed and produced a Dancing
Drum Signature Series line of
djembe and djun-djun drums
and drum
stands made from sustainably harvested
wood. Initally conceived as educational
level instruments to fill our needs
in schools, the drums came out so well
that they debuted as a professional
quality line. They are now available
for purchase throuh our website
store. Schools may contact
us to
request information about school
drum packages and
educational discounts.
In 2007, Dancing Drum became the official
Education & Recreational Outreach
program for Tycoon Percussion.
Dancing Drum is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, the National Association for Music Education (MENC), the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the Children's Creative Project of
the Santa Barbara County Office of Education.
