Katy Gaughan, Drumming for Wellness
I am a professional drum circle facilitator, percussionist, retreat leader and event organizer whose mission is to bring people together to experience the healing power of drumming and rhythm. I have been organizing and hosting drum events in the Washington, DC area for over 15 years, most notably the Greenbelt Rhythm and Drum Festival, Wednesday Night Drum Jams, Takoma Park Summer Drum Circles and the Washington National Cathedral Drum Circles.
I am a drum circle facilitator. I lead drum circles at senior centers, churches, schools, birthday parties, retreats, team-building events, community festivals and celebrations. I’ve worked with kids, adults, seniors, and special needs populations. I’m trained by Arthur Hull, known world-wide as the godfather of the drum circle facilitation movement. I am a graduate of Arthur’s East Coast Facilitator Playshop (2003), Hawaii Playshop (2005 as a mentor), Advanced Facilitator Playshop (2008 & 2014) and have participated in two Rhythmical Alchemy Playshops. I am a member of the Drum Circle Facilitator’s Guild and have completed the Remo Health Rhythms training.
I am a drummer. I started drumming at WDC’s beloved Malcolm X Drum Circle in 1998. From there, I fell in love with hand drums and have studied Latin, African and Middle Eastern Percussion with many teachers: Luis Garay, Jaqui MacMillan, Mamady Keita, Layne Redmond, Scott Robinson, Tammi Hessen, Baile McKnight, Mahiri Edwards Keita, Jason Walker, Daveed Korup, Kristen Arant and Monette Marino. I currently play djembe, dunun, sangban, kenkeni, conga, bongos, dumbek, frame drum and percussive instruments. I am the percussionist for Djesben, a trio that has been playing its own unique world-jazz-groove music since 1999, and am a member of the Bele Bele Rhythm Collective, an all-women’s drum troupe that plays West African rhythms and songs.
I am a retreat leader. I lead weekend and day-long retreats that incorporate wellness, rhythm, drumming, spirituality and nature. I am on the retreat staff at Rolling Ridge Study Retreat Center and have also led retreats and programs for Shalem Insitute for Spiritual Formation. I am a graduate of Shalem’s Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups & Retreats Program.
I am an event organizer. In the past 15 years I’ve organized and hosted hundreds and hundreds of events: community rhythm festivals, monthly and weekly drum circles, weekend drumming retreats, 6-week contemplative music series, family drum circles, drum and dance events, fire circles, performances and more. I am impassioned by the energy that is created when people gather together to drum, make music, dance and connect. I’ve experienced first hand the transformative power of impromptu collaborative music making HUNDREDS OF TIMES! For me and all the people I’ve drummed with! From age 0-99, we can all drum and feel that positive energy that comes from connecting with our own heart beat and the heart beats of those around us. Plus it’s FUN!!!!