Course Descriptions

"Your body speaks to you in a symphony of rhythms - the drum returns the call"

Who Will Benifit:
Anyone who wants to bring more creativity and passion into their personal lives, work or relationships....and

health care workers and practitioners professionals in all fields seekers on a spiritual path music therapists and music lovers people living with chronic illness teachers and coaches performing artists community organizers

Description
Since the beginning of time, drums have been utilized to celebrate and express all that it means to be human. "Drum Talk" will support you to initiate a rhythmical dialogue with yourself within community. The uplifting resonance of the African drum nourishes us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and becomes the vehicle upon which we can explore personal and community issues. We will learn rhythms and songs for West Africa, the Caribbean and South America, and play various percussion instruments from around the world. This workshop is suited to first time beginners or more experienced players, and will involve sound healing techniques, drum circle work, guided imagery with drumming, and playful rhythm games.

Format
We begin at the beginning, building a strong rhythmical foundation with the basics of hand drumming technique. The evocative and healing power of the drum is felt at a deep level. Our container becomes the drum circle, a versatile model within which there is potential to learn about creativity, building community, deepening our faith, leadership, wellness and living in peace and tolerance. Through songs, poetry, call and response drumming and body percussion, we reconnect with our innate sense of rhythm and the Earth that sustains us.

Faculty:
Lyle Povah

Dates:

Aug.02-Aug.05, 2009 Sun-Wed;	Register	Tuition: ($300.00) $330.00	For 2009 by Dec 15, 2008 $290.00
Register for 2009 courses by December 15th, 2008 and pay 2008 Tuition fees. (early) regular fee: the price in brackets is the "Early Bird" rate for those who register and pay in full at least two weeks before the course begins. The price without brackets is the full price. Prices in Canadian dollars. Meals and accommodation not included. Full room and board is available for an extra charge. See Resort Prices for details.
Testimonials: "I think Lyle is fantastic - we drummed a lot and also did some healing stuff which I really loved. My son and I have a new vehicle for communicating non-verbally, we can drum together. I have learned that listening to another person's rhythms contains a gift and a teaching for me. What I learned in Drum Talk applied to everything in my life. Drumming is very meditative… I intend to continue drumming and incorporate it as a healing modality in my life." August 2008 "Lyle is an inspiring human being, as well as being an excellent drummer, singer and all round performer. Lyle's knowledge, his skill in flexibly offering opportunities based on being with participants in the moment… Thank you Lyle for a truly unique and fantastic experience. I would want everyone who comes to The Haven to experience it." March 2008 "Lyle Povah is an inspiring instructor. He blends his exceptional talents with brilliant leadership, group and teaching skills, creating a positive, stimulating and comfortable environment for participants. Anxiety is taken care of early so that we can begin learning. We play games, sing, listen to poems, do exercises to get both sides of the brain working. This along with simplicity, repetition, charts, and imagery ensure that we learn and retain the basic fundamentals of drumming. We learn the correct techniques, and how to maintain a tempo. We are shown many rhythms, some more complicated to appeal to the more skilled participants. We are encouraged to try a variety of percussion instruments. Throughout, the focus is on the process. We made a lot of mistakes but Lyle was always patient and encouraging. You realize that you are learning a lot more than basic drumming skills. You become aware of the healing power of music and the profound role music plays in life. The course will deepen your faith. I appreciated Lyle's enthusiasm, his love for music and people, his intuitiveness, his ability to teach and maintain active participation in such a diverse group. He responded to all questions and individual interests, and recognized immediately if someone was moving away from their 'comfort zone' or was having difficulty. All ages and levels of skill are accepted and respected. Learning should be fun, and this course is fun. I went to this course with minimal skills and a lot of trepidation. I was amazed at how much I learned. Problems after the course, or you would like some information? Lyle offers his help, just contact him." —Ruth Hildebrand, August 2006

Course Evaluation:
A student/participant who attends a minimum of 90% of the total course sessions shall receive a "Pass" grade. A student/participant who is absent for more than 10% of the session will receive an "Incomplete" grade and credit will not be granted.