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DrumRise is committed to the power of rhythm to promote individual, organizational, and community wellness.  Group drumming has been scientifically shown to decrease stress and improve immune system function.  It provides a vehicle for positive interpersonal interactions that transcend societal divisions and “isms,” nurturing communities.  And can be used to create abundant learning opportunities -both for students and for adults in the workplace looking to explore group dynamics or improve teamwork and communication.

DrumRise is indebted to the many generations of Malinke drummers who have passed their traditional rhythms down through hundreds of years, and to our teachers who in sharing their music with us have connected us with a worldwide network of friends and a lifetime of rhythms to explore! DrumRise is committed to paying these gifts forward by sharing West African music with others with integrity and respect for tradition, and with gratitude.

DrumRise honors these two commitments by facilitating joyful group rhythm experiences including:

Traditional West African Drumming Classes

Amy is a Certified Associate Instructor with Tam Tam Mandingue Winston-Salem, part of the international network of djembe schools founded by Guinean Master drummer, Mamady Keita.

  • Community classes for teens and adults
  • Schools and Youth Programs
  • Special Needs and Teen Prevention Programs

Entertainment

DrumRise has a network of percussionists as well as dancers and other musicians available for all your private and corporate entertainment needs. Amy offers high quality, memorable performances by small combos or full ensembles, Ten Blocks Away and ConunDRUMS.

Workshop & Conference Hosting

DrumRise is committed to expanding opportunities for people in the Southeast to study West African music, Drum Circle Facilitation, and related disciplines with the highest calibre professionals in their fields. We have a wealth of event management experience and have helped to organize and promote numerous successful Atlanta-area workshops with internationally touring artists and presenters.

GRoup and Individual Outcomes Drumming (GRIO Drumming)™

GRIO Drumming is DrumRise’s approach to creating a unique rhythm event for your group. Amy starts with your stated intention for your event and custom-design a program that draws from several different schools of the absolute best in group rhythm work to help you achieve the educational, health, social, or organizational goals of your group!

The emphasis of GRIO programs is less on becoming technically proficient musicians or learning a specific rhythm and more on the human outcomes that can arise from the experience of co-creating rhythm with a group of people.

Applications include:

  • Drumming for Health and Wellbeing
    • Eldercare
    • Recovery Groups
    • Employee Wellness
  • Drumming for Corporations
    • Conference Ice-Breakers
    • Teambuilding and Retreats
  • Drumming for Community Events
    • Festivals
    • Fundraisers
    • Private Parties
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HISTORY

DrumRise was started in 2007 as Rhythm Synergy by Amy Jackson and Colleen Caffrey. Amy and Colleen met as members of the all women’s group, ConunDRUMS which they joined within months of each other in 2002-2003. Although both women were longtime musicians and percussionists at heart, they were both brand new to the djembe at the time.  Each got their introduction to West African rhythms by taking classes with Chuck Cogliandro, quickly became immersed in the music and sought opportunities to study further.  As they did they both found themselves called on to share what they knew with others eager to learn and to capture some of the vibrant joy they saw onstage in ConunDRUMS’ performances.

Over the next few years Colleen and Amy each continued their study of West African drumming in depth, while learning all they could about a variety of different approaches to working with groups in rhythm. They each completed trainings in the scientifically supported, Remo HealthRhythms protocol and Kalani’s music therapy and Orff Schulwerk-informed DCM (formerly Drum Circle Music, now called Developmental Community Music). Amy also studied with the father of the facilitated drum circle movement, Arthur Hull. And both women learned a lot from Arthur and other top facilitators, by attending conferences of the Drum Circle Facilitator’s Guild, helping out at the annual flagship event of drumSTRONG, and shadowing with colleagues in the Southeast, including Jana Broder of Drum Magic, John Scalici of GetRhythm and Dave Holland of Beatin’Path Rhythm Events.

Initially the two pursued parallel paths – Amy focused on drum circles with seniors for wellness, staff teambuilding, and after school programs and Colleen focused on teaching West African drumming to adults and school aged kids. But gradually they found themselves collaborating more and more, and in 2007 began marketing under the umbrella of Rhythm Synergy. Three years later they made the collaboration official, launching Rhythm Synergy, LLC. At the same time, they chose a new, simpler name to convey their programming to the world with the same energy: DrumRise was born.

On August 27, 2014, Colleen and Amy chose new pathways.

Colleen began a new business to develop some new classes and workshops combining her knowledge of West African drumming with teaching approaches drawn from Taketina’s rhythmic voice and movement.

As the new Director of Drumrise, Amy will continue to focus on her vision, passion, and committment to bringing joy and community through the inspirational power of rhythm by teaching the traditional music of the Mandingue. As musical director of the all women’s percussion ensemble, ConunDrums will continue to uplift as well as Ten Blocks Away and the retrorock band The Crustaceans!

Colleen and Amy will continue to work together to bring Taketina events to you!