Drum Circles

Serina offers somatic music-making circles (including drum) as a path to human connection. Rhythm can change brain patterns allowing humans to be more receptive to empathy, creativity, collaboration, empowerment, listening, and joy. From intimate group settings to large community circles, Serina creates somatic experiences that allow connection to occur organically. Serina combines breathing exercises, rhythm, games, and body movement to help people relieve their own stress by creating a meaningful connection to ecology, self, and others; this connection promotes self-healing, self-realization, and builds healthy communities.

Serina received her drum circle leadership skills training from Jim Donovan M.Ed. The evidence-based program focuses on stress management and human connection through bilateral stimulation (drumming). Her somatic-style of facilitation invites participants to play in a way that is intuitive and led by the body and soul.

Serina received the 2017 CTLE Innovation Grant Award to establish community drum circles at Glendale Community College in Arizona. There, she facilitated community drum circles for the senior citizen population, students, and faculty. In addition to academic leadership, Serina created monthly full moon drum circles and hikes in collaboration with the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation with over 200 people in attendance. She facilitates circles at memory-care adult centers, schools and universities, hospitals, and sacred events.

Serina presented, The History of Playing Indian and Performance Culture Consciousness, at the 2020 Drum Circle Facilitator Guild Conference. The presentation examined the history of why and how European-descendant-Americans identified with other cultures other than their own and the ways in which culture performance is perpetuated in drum circles by facilitators and participants.

Benefits of Music-Making

Lowers stress, anxiety, and depression
Lowers blood pressure
Increases memory and cognitive function
Elevates mood (endorphins) and the immune system
Creates community and builds empathy

Workplace and Academic Spaces

Success at work requires effective communication and emotional intelligence. Rhythm, drumming, and music-making are tools we use to teach people the power of listening, understanding, and collaboration. Companies that provide education for these skills have happier and more productive employees that can increase the bottom line.

Play and Community Commection

Something happens to a lot of us once we reach adulthood…we forget how to play. Play is so important to our well-being and with just a few minutes a day, can improve our attitude significantly. Our circles allow EVERYONE to make music. Because we ALL have a heartbeat and breath, we ALL have rhythm. We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to give ourselves permission to let go and enjoy!

Stress Management

According to the American Psychological Association, adult stress levels have been steadily increasing over the past decade. 67% of adults say money and work stress are at the top of their list. Millennials and minority groups report even higher stress levels than their counterparts. Chronic stress has been shown to lead to chronic disease and health concerns such as stomach ulcers, back and shoulder pain, depression, obesity, and compromised immune system. Our approach to rhythm, drumming, and music-making can dramatically reduce stress.

Empowerment

Beating to the rhythm of your own drum takes courage – both metaphorically and in reality. Our circles encourage people to find their own “drum,” and discover how it contributes to the group. As internal defenses are lowered and mutual encouragement organically emerges, a transformation occurs in the circle: participants experience a powerful sense of belonging, synergy, joy, and awareness that we are all connected. They leave knowing the power of community, having experienced their individual power and how it can be nurtured and expanded in a vibrant group.