Dear Jana,

We just want to let you know how much we have appreciated the 'Drum Magic' program this year at Hope. As you well know, the connection between music and cognitive function is well documented and we firmly believe your presentations have helped increase both the auditory processing and fine motor skills (eye-hand coordination) of our students. More importantly, it was accomplished in a way that was throughly enjoyable for them as you will see from the attached "testimonials" (written by our children).

We certainly hope this is just the beginning of our cooperative relationship with you and hope we will be able to access the program again next school year so that we can continue to build on the skills you have introduced to our students.

Again, thank you so much for 'Drum Magic.' It truly was a 'magical' experience for our students.

Sincerely,

Celeste Kellar
Director

Alexis Maxfield
Speech/Language Pathologist

Mental and Physical disabilities have never stopped Drum Magic from bringing drums across the nation to drum with this population.

No disability, great or small, has stopped the rhythm, the exercise, and the pure joy that is expressed by our disabled friends and family.

Here is a recent testimonial from Mental Healthcare Inc. in Tampa, Florida:

Drumming and Mental Health.

For more than a year now, Jana Broder has brought Drummagic to the consumers at Mental Health Care Inc.’s Social Rehabilitation Program.  This has offered the consumers the chance to interact together in a completely different way.  It has given consumers the chance to dance and express themselves. The energy created by Jana’s enthusiasm is contagious- a noisy, happy activity takes place transforming the cafeteria from a place of rest to an energetic, enlivening one. The consumers regularly ask me, “When is the drum lady coming?”

Elizabeth E Mitchell  Expressive Arts Coordinator
MHC Inc. Adult Community Services Division
2313 W. Violet St. Tampa, FL 33603
813 673 4622 x377  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Young and troubled youth today need a physical and emotional outlet to relieve the feelings they have internally suppressed. Drumming allows these children to engage in a rhythmic activity that includes striking the skin of a real African drum. Throughout the country, Drum Magic has led interactive rhythm events in youth detention centers and halfway houses. The feedback has been consistent and enlightening. See below:

 I am currently a teacher at Falkenburg Academy and have experienced the drumming sessions with Jana Broder for several years and have noticed such a positive influence with my students from them. I work in a Residential Juvenile Offender program with 100 young men ranging in age 13-19, who deal with many of life’s struggles at an extremely early age. Many have been living on the streets, living a life of crime and basically losing their way. Coming to Falkenburg they experience a new way a life and they are exposed to things they have never seen or done before.

 Drumming for many is a major stress reliever and a way to express themselves in a positive manner. Jana has been coming to our facilities for several years and I have watched her impact my students and inspire them to use drumming as a therapeutic means to resolve some of their inner demons.  Drumming is much like exercise, releases stress and increases serotonin which in turn makes happier children. Many of my students are amazed at how good they feel after they leave a drumming session. They all leave with a big smile on their faces and it stays that way all throughout the day. Drumming has even reached that child that seems unreachable, for the first time in months I will see that child smile and interact with others and that is a gift that Jana has given them.

 Many of today’s youth are inspired through music and dance and with the drumming sessions they connect to those inspirations that influence them to find something positive in life and maybe turn their lives around  and change for good. Overall, kids need to be inspired, whether it is positive or negative is up to the community, drumming is something positive that really impacts the youth today.