Community

PRACTITIONERS

ADHD & Autism

Tanya Jones

Tanya is a director for The Rockworks Academy, based in north-east Wales, they deliver therapeutic, educational and expressive music provision to vulnerable, hard-to-reach and disengaged individuals. Tanya also tutored for the Clem Burke drum study in 2019, teaching a teenage student with Autism to play the drums.

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Alzheimer's & Dementia

Keith McIntosh

A volunteer ambassador with Dementia UK and Playlist for Life, Keith also leads a drumming with dementia group in Leyland, in north west England.

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Cerebral Palsy

Andrew Hewitt

Andrew was born with Cerebral Palsy which affects movement in his arms and legs, and he uses a wheelchair to get around. However this hasn't stopped Andrew from having a successful career as a drummer spanning more than 30 years. Back in March 2013, he co-founded Can-Do Musos to provide guidance and hope to all musicians with challenges. Music is empowering and has no limitations and everyone should have a chance at their dreams. Having a "Can Do attitude" is the first step toward success.

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Hearing Loss

Miriam Dubois

Miriam is a Community Drumming facilitator with 15 years of experience with a heavy focus on West African styles. Miriam provides community workshops or private events. Being born Deaf herself her enthusiasm to teach drum sessions to SEN or mainstream schools and members of the Deaf and Disabled community is infectious. Miriam's performances include drumming at Glastonbury Festival and at the 2012 London Olympics. She has also performed with Deaf Rave, BSL Celebration with Ruth DA DA Fest and many community events, as well as many Music Festivals around the UK.

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Mental Health

Steve Shotton

Steve is the founder of Rhythm Reaction who deliver therapeutic drumming sessions in the Liverpool area for people living with brain conditions, physical impairment or recovering from illnesses. Their goal is to help people realise their potential, improve self-esteem, confidence and communication skills.

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Parkinson's

Phil Jones

Through his company, Inspire Drums, Phil has recently worked with Hartpury University, who joined forces with the Cirencester and Stroud Branch of Parkinson’s UK, and the University of Wolverhampton to explore the potential benefits of drumming for people living with Parkinson’s disease.

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Tourette's

David Aldridge

David is a jazz drummer, composer, teacher and author, based in Austin, Texas. He has written about drumming and music as therapy for Tourette Syndrome, as well as running workshops and sharing his experiences through his blog.

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Gregory Storey

Greg was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 6. He struggled for many years but everything changed when he began to play the drums as a teenager, and found it helped him to manage his tics. He put's this down to the brain power needed to drum, using up the brain power that Tourette’s needs to function. He has taught himself to imagine drumming in his mind, which helps him to be almost symptom free.

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RESEARCHERS

Autism

Clem Burke Drumming Project

The Clem Burke Drumming Project aims to expand our knowledge by applying scientific methods to drumming as an art form. Supported by grants, partnerships, and donations, they focus on projects that use drumming lessons and performances to overcome developmental and behavioural difficulties, improve coping skills, and encourage emotional and physical expression for people of all ages. Their goal is to bring drums beyond the stage and into the lives of those who can benefit from them most.

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Cognitive Function

Neuroscape

Rhythm is a core aspect of how our brain functions at the highest of levels, from perception to attention to memory. Coherence is a game to improve brain rhythms by training rhythmic ability through the body. It has a mobile and VR version both designed to teach rhythm with the goal of improving cognitive function more broadly.

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