The training was above and beyond what I expected on every level. I cannot what to use what I learned at work and at home. It was seriously one of the best trainings I have ever attended. Jim is a wonderful instructor and gives you everything you need to empower you to facilitate your own drum circle. I highly recommend!! —Michelle S.
What a beautiful and soul giving experience! Jim is such an amazing person! His ability to help people feel at ease and release walls so that we may go out into the world with this new uplifting skill is truly beyond words. We walked into the experience as 30 strangers not knowing exactly what to expect....and as the day of magical, musical fun concluded, I realized the room full of strangers had been transformed into love. I feel so blessed and grateful to have been a part of this amazing group! Thank You Jim!!! A million times over! —Robin S.
Jim is a gifted drummer, teacher, and group leader. He understands and has thoughtfully developed a model and a process for teaching the skills and activities that will maximize success for his students. Perhaps it is because I am an 'old' teacher who has always been sympathetic with those who criticize humorless and fun-less approaches to learning, but Jim's philosophy and presentation resonated with me and will resonate with anyone who believes that time spent learning should be joyous and fun. It is affirming to find how effective teachers can quickly develop changes in skills, attitude and mood. I believe any participant in one of his workshops has the potential to be one of my kindred learning spirits. Thanks for the weekend of fun and learning. —Bill C.
One word: FABULOUS!!! I had the best time and learned how to be an effective drum circle leader. It was a transformational training for me and I am sure for many others as well. I look forward to putting what I learned to good use in my workplace and in my personal life. Jim was a terrific facilitator who provided a very energetic, fun, and nonjudgmental space to rock it out comfortably! Highly recommend! —Catherine M.
It is better than one can imagine! Jim is an outstanding teacher - very welcoming and inviting. He makes learning easy. He is very generous with the teachings and genuinely wants us to succeed. I make it a point to attend any of his trainings I can. —Connie L.
The best part of the training with Jim was the warm, genuine connections we all made over a relatively short period of time. Jim's style of teaching instantly puts you at ease. And, it was SO MUCH FUN!! Now that I've learned some new drumming techniques, creative ways to engage people into drumming and social games for warm ups, I feel confident about starting a drum circle in my community back home in GA. Thanks Jim for a fantastic drumming experience! —Mary Ellen M.
From the beginning of the training Jim made us feel very welcome and comfortable. At first I was concerned about my lack of percussion experience. That went away rather quickly as Jim provided us with the tools to "smile and keep going". He provides an environment that infectiously brings people together and opens their minds and hearts to learning. I gained so much confidence from this course. I'm looking forward to taking more trainings with Jim. —Heather O.
Absolutely amazing training. Not only did I learn a ton of practical and applicable skills and techniques for leading circles. This training helped me look inward at some things I want to work on for personal growth and development. You will also meet a lot of really amazing people in these trainings! —Matt P.
Thank you Jim Donovan!! I am so grateful to have attended the Drum Circle Leadership Training with you!! The training was SO much more than what I expected!! I was feeling worn and depleted when I went to the training and and was starting to feel better in the first few SECONDS of the training!! I came out feeling refreshed, relaxed, and recharged!! I left with tools to not only help myself, but to share with others!! The connection amongst a group of strangers was truly amazing and heart warming!! I felt like I have known them for a long time!! Jim's kind genuine spirit and natural talent puts you at ease and creates a safe and healing environment!! I think in today's society of technology, we are missing the basic human connection with others. I felt that connection through this training and am truly grateful!! I had no drumming experience, but don't let that stop anyone from missing out on this opportunity!! There is no right or wrong!! Just SMILE and keep on going!! Keep on drumming!! —Debbie D.
I just wanted to send you a quick note to say THANK YOU for everything you gave me at the training last weekend. Today I had my first circle since attending the training, and the difference was like night and day. We had several total newbies show up either brought by family members or just from the community at large, many of whom were reluctant or afraid to give drumming a chance. I had one woman who told me outright that she had no rhythm, and would just be watching. I used the tools you gave me to create conditions and expectations, and others handed her a shaker. I watched her move from the shaker to claves to a small djembe. At the end of the circle, she told me how surprised she was to discover she did have musical ability after all, and how much fun she had. — Diana H.
Sitting in the circle with people who had a wide variety of experience and expertise was at first humbling and a bit scary for me. But Jim has a way of getting participants to open their hearts, minds, and spirits to empower success. Since the Facilitator Training Course I have used a thought process that Jim espouses during the training: There are no mistakes in the Circle..... which I interpreted as that I could not make a mistake if they did not exist. And if a person thinks they made a mistake then Jim says just keep on playing....even louder and smile bigger! To this day my mind, heart, and spirit continue to smile because of this powerful philosophy and way of life. I am attempting to use this philosophy in my every day activities as well. Life is definitely becoming more peace-filled! As a result of this course I am becoming connected to more and more like-minded people.
— Pat Fitzgerald Ph.D, Professor, Saint Francis University
I, too, had a very successful, hugely successful circle with a group of women with addictions on Wed. eve. I’m still buzzin’ from it. I would like to thank myself for choosing you, Jim, as my teacher. I’m happy to say that I left this group of 14 women to empowered, and wanting more. I’ve never received so many hugs and hand shakes in one evening. We went around circle talking about our experience and the feedback was all positive, all amazing, very impressive. These women wanted to express their goodness, they wanted to share how they were feeling & they loved it. In the end, I put some art work that I drew in the middle of the circle and invited them to pick the one that best suited how they were feeling. (Not one person felt sad!-) I get to share with these women for the next three weeks now as they continue on their recovery journey. I’m so excited! I just re-lived this circle and feel just as good now as I did then. What a difference this course has made. Thank you!
—Tammy O.
I felt, heard and sang to the rhythm all 6 1/2 hours as I returned to NY. I’m vibrating with the energy of everyone and everything. The inspiration kick started the rhythm class.... I sent an email to the LAC Drum Circle email list, friends and family. I’m offering 8 dates starting tonight. I’m jumping in! Still pumped! Within an hour I had people signing up for the classes. I feel the support and feedback from everyone at this weekend’s training. I hear Jim’s loving voice encouraging and supportive. This is exactly what I was looking for. I think I am most impressed with the presentation of a VAST amount of material in 2 1/2 days. Jim is VERY generous with the information he is sharing with fellow teachers. It was so well organized and executed that I feel strong as I move forward in applying the additions to what I already have going on.
—Sandra Sabene, Liverpool Art Center
Since the training I have done a drum/percussion circle with a group of older folks, as well as incorporated some of the skills we learned into a bereavement music session for kids. I am so very grateful for the skills learned at the workshop... they are seamlessly incorporating themselves into my work in wonderful ways, really helping to make a difference. Thank you all...!
The rewards were bright smiles, hugs, and even tears from participants :) With the older folks, “One drum/instrument” exercise worked surprisingly well when prefacing it with “and now for something different...,” as I learned here from Sheila’s experience. Also, remembering to come out of the experiences with deep breaths has been enjoyed by participants. With the kids, the drumming portion of the experience was a kind of release. I was able to easily incorporate some cut-stops and rumbles... Turned out to be a great community-building experience for all...
— Ellen G.
We learned and had fun at the same time. Jim is very knowledgeable, humble, and a giver and makes a beginner feel welcome. I recommend Jim's workshop to anyone who wants to learn a new way for self-care to sign up for a fun way to do it. —Sheron M.
This was hands down one of the best trainings I have ever been to! I learned so much, and Jim's style of teaching is laid back and reassuring so I felt comfortable to try out the new skills. A great way to recharge and get energized! —Sydney A.
Jim Donovan's Drum Circle Leadership training is great for both seasoned DCFs as well as for those new to drum circle facilitation. Jim has distilled many DCF functions to their core essence, giving them simple language that creates ease in understanding, learning, and delivering! He has a gift for helping facilitators understand objectives, program design, and their role as serving leaders. I highly recommend this training to anyone wishing to hone their skills in serving others using drumming as their tool! —Toni K.
I was a little concerned about remembering everything that we learned packed into just a day and a half. However, Jim made it so clear and so much fun with plenty of opportunities to practice the different leadership components that I am feeling confident to lead the drum circle event next weekend with friends and friends of friends. Plus the friendships and connections made with folks from all different walks of life allows for collaboration and inspiration. —Linda S.
