The Sound of Freedom

I recently felt inspired to do an outdoor drum circle to bring people together from different walks of life in the Silver Spring community. This is a very busy area where people go about their activities without interacting with one another. I wanted to find a way for people to pause and engage with each other.

Drumming is a universal language that makes it easy to bring people together regardless of their background. During my sessions with seniors and youths, I witness how drumming brings joy, laughter and connection to the participants who attend, and I just want to bring that into the greater community at large.

In partnership with the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), I have started a drum circle at the Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. We meet every Wednesday from 6pm - 7pm.

The drum circle is to help participants deal with negative external pressures, keep youths out of trouble and another healthy way to relax. Drumming activities reinforces life skills such as: leadership, team work and social cohesion. If people can perform together making beautiful music, they can live together.

It is a joy to see 'strangers' come together, united through the playing of drums, smiling, laughing, expressing themselves - no barriers, just being themselves in a safe space.