Workshops & Instructors at The Summer Rhythm Renewal

The Wisdom of Rhythm: Ecstatic Drumming, Meditative Chanting. Sound Healing Techniques. 

Jim Donovan M.Ed. is a professional musician and Assistant Professor at Saint Francis University. His mission is to share the healing power of music through education and performance. He specializes in placing music and wellness programs in organizations who focus on people with disabilities and people recovering from addiction. Donovan performs with his band Sun King Warriors and was a founding member of the 3-time platinum band Rusted Root. There he co-wrote the song “Send Me on My Way” featured in the movie Ice Age and became the first song on Mars where it “woke up” NASA’s Mars Rover.

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Ecstatic Dance is mindfulness-based movement practice that invites you to let go and unleash your authentic, awesome self through free-form movement!

Our Ecstatic Dance journey is guided by a playlist moving us through an energetic arch from tuning in, through delving deeper, into unleashing and then back into stillness. Opening & closing circles frame our time together for intention setting and integration. No dancing experience required or dance steps to learn! Come as you are ~ Move as you wish!

Tricia Chirumbole is a dancer, facilitator, and explorer of life, who is passionate about creating opportunities for personal and collective growth through movement, dialogue, and group co-creation. Tricia facilitates events and authentic engagement experiences for community gatherings, conferences, and organizations that weave together expressive arts, mindfulness, and collaborative processes. Her dance and embodiment influences include: DancingMindfulness (trauma informed), Somasource, Contact Improv, and Ecstatic Dance.

The Art of Letting Go: A Creative Jam Session
Enjoy some creative fun as we learn ways to let go of our inner critique. We will use simple drawing supplies and rhythmic music to “get out of our heads” and
into our inner groove. This fun workshop is perfect for any “over-thinkers” or “self proclaimed perfectionists” as we create a safe and playful space to let go and explore the gifts of self expression. Includes all drawing supplies and paper.

Meditative Painting : Experience the Gift in Letting Go
Let go of the outcome as Sandra offers creative tools that inspire how to be more present with what’s unfolding on the canvas and within. Discover how to move with color in a trance-like state, explore sensations, inspirations and vi-
sions through the transforming images and textures on canvas. Includes: guided meditation, music, canvas, acrylic paint and all supplies.

Creating with Spirit
Self Discovery thru creative mediums
Step into safe space and let go of all expectations for this creative collaboration. Spark your imagination with a blend of painting, drawing, guided meditation and intuitive tools...

We will enjoy an hour of creative collaboration as we build a
bridge from head to heart and then create a vision board from our experiences.
Includes all paint, drawing supplies and paper.

Sandra Fioramonti-Sabene
Sandra’s expressive arts programs have offered inspiration, healing and creative refuge to thousands since 2005. Her use of paint, guided meditation, music and environment has generated countless workshops, retreats and ongoing classes
where people discover how to let go and be more present. The art of letting gohas become Sandra’s life passion. She coaches and guides her students and clients through a process of being present, allowing the flow of “surrender” to be the guiding force and how important it is to let go of the outcome.
www.artsandhealing.com www.artbysandra.com

Transformative Writing
Transformation happens when we can begin to explore and embrace those elements of ourselves that keep us immobile and integrate them with expressions of who we are capable of becoming, thereby creating an energy for movement that’s based on a more grounded appreciation of who we are and the role we play in narrating the stories of our lives. In journals we can uncover and reflect upon the material we find meaningful in daily life, and we can begin to shape that meaning into a liberating and actualizing artistic practice.

At Renewal, participants will be invited to use their journals
as an active part of their experience. We’ll examine more deeply various approaches to journaling that can help us explore the inspiration that Renewal initiates, as well as the potential blocks we might face to sustaining that inspiration after the weekend is over. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet individually or in small groups to uncover further where their writing from the weekend can take
them.

Rhythm for the Spoken Word – with Bryan Fazio
Music and writing represent two of our oldest forms of personal and communal expression.
Rhythm for the Spoken Word explores what happens when we bring these art forms together. In a relaxed, friendly, and energetic environment, participants will be invited to create and share rhythm- based, spoken-word expressions of their experiences of the weekend, based on a musical exploration of the emotional and conceptual themes by which they feel most inspired. Bring a generous and adventurous heart. Leave your inhibitions at the door.

Matthew Adams, MSPC, MFA, is a counselor, teacher, and writer from Pittsburgh, PA whose talents lie in helping clients and students find and develop artistic voices with which they can explore conflicts they typically face in the walk of daily life, understand the fuller dynamics from which these conflicts grow, and develop a writing practice by which they can initiate and maintain personal growth and resolution
of self-doubt, devaluation, and denial of their inherent strengths and uniqueness.

Sound and Movement of Life
Combines Singing, Conscious Dance, Expressive Movement and Sound Healing.
Explore gently guided movement, sound and expressive dance to access grounding into the earth, igniting our core and opening our hearts. We will explore various ways of being in the body with breathing, singing, sounding and movement allowing freedom for individual expression. 

West African Dance
Learn traditional rhythms, song and dance from Guinea, West Africa. West African Dance is a vibrant, joyful, expression that is both grounding and energizing showing reverence for life and connection in community.

NEW! Doun Doun Dance
Influenced by traditional West African practice of dancing and drumming with sticks together! We will enjoy a vibrant practice that combines these two expressions together in one

About Rachel Allen

Rachel had 25 years plus of engaging in the healing arts, activism and building community in various settings with a variety of populations. 
Rachel’s engagement in advocacy through the healing arts has intersected around rights for individuals with mental illness, racial equality, environmental justice, socio economic class, accessibility and disability issues, gender and sexuality issues. Rachel is a member of Yoga Service International, has trained in sacred activism leadership with this organization as well as Off the Mat and Into the World and CTZNWELL. Rachel is a rostered healing arts Practitioner with the Breathe Network, an international resource for survivors of sexual trauma. 
Rachel has the strong desire to co create healthy, vital, joyful, diverse communities where all beings can pursue happiness, navigate freely and safely and live in peace. http://www.yogasong.net
 

New! Afro-Cuban Drumming: Beyond

A next level intermediate workshop exploring:

Variations of Tumbao and Calypso rhythms.
Approaches to improvising/soloing
Advanced technique and practice exercises

Afro-Cuban Drumming: The Basics

Delve into the world of Conga drumming as we explore the foundations of Afro-Cuban and Latin Rhythms.  Learn the basic techniques for playing conga drums through rhythms found in many styles of music all over the world.  We will also look at making practice methods enjoyable and ways to advance your drumming at any level.

Shamanic Journeying
Shamanic Journeying is a set of ancient techniques dating back, according to archaeologists, about 30,000 years. Many indigenous cultures throughout the world have used these techniques to access healing and spiritual realms. In this introduction workshop we will utilize a specific tempo and rhythm on the drum, producing a particular sound frequency, which consequently produces a theta state in the brain. This state, usually associated with sleep and dreaming, produces deep relaxation, healing, and often brings profound insight through creative imagery. This unique healing experience can allow participants to unlock new dimensions of personal power in their lives. No previous experience with journeying is necessary as this class will include both basic instruction and a journey
experience for all participants. 

Harry Pepper, Ph.D., is a psychologist and the Adult Program Coordinator at Common Ground The Cindy Nord Center for Renewal. Harry also maintains a private practice with Palmentera and Associates, Inc. and has a growing life coaching practice, working with clients across the nation. He is an experienced presenter on a wide range of topics including holistic and alternative healing approaches, shadow work, relationship issues and men's issues. 

Wild Writes: Nature Writing
Explore the natural surroundings of the Saint Francis campus with Kim McElhatten.  In her workshop Wild Writes: Nature Writing, participants will combine nature walks with the art of journal writing to practice mindfulness and to reaffirm their connection with the earth.  Everyone is welcome to join this class.  No experience in writing or nature identification is needed.  Come to this class prepared with a journal and ready to experience Mother Nature in a new way. 
 
Kim McElhatten is a writer, teacher, and drummer in Central PA where she offers meditation and writing workshops at Heartspace Wellness Alliance.  There she also facilitates The Second Sunday Drum Circles and is a Reiki practitioner specializing in  Reiki for Relationships.
 
Her principal philosophy in life is that each of us has a responsibility to design our own happiness.  Her workshops focus on techniques to quiet the mind, allowing participants to connect to the inner, ancient wisdom that leads to happiness and manifests a universal condition for everyone to experience joy.   

The Music of Life Workshop

These brand new workshops are full of FUN, inspiration, and ways to apply the tools learned through group drumming (but without the drums). The experiences are designed to help participants feel vibrantly alive and reconnected with their own creativity through the use of hand-held percussion, voice, movement, and rhythm games. No special skills or musical experience needed—you are enough! All instruments are provided but feel free to bring your own hand percussion.

Mike Deaton is a teacher and facilitator with almost 20 years of training and experience. Mike’s primary modality is music but he enjoys bringing integrated arts experiences to care centers, schools, places of worship, and festivals. He has designed and taught curriculum with the Va. Alzheimer’s Association, the Va. Dept. of Social Services, and has taught World Drumming at St. Francis University as well as specialized workshops for undergraduate and graduate programs at Eastern Mennonite University and James Madison University. In 2007, he had the honor of performing for Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Community Drum Circle 

Each night at the Renewal is a time to jam, dance and have a great time together. Join us for a rhythmic extravaganza built for everyone!

Update: Unfortunately, Jaqui is unable to join us this year to a medical issue. Mike Deaton will serve as a substitute for her classes

Drum For Joy! Jaqui MacMillan believes that healing happens through art and music. In the early 1980's, while earning her degrees in Graphic Art, Design and Fine Art at the University of Maryland, she also discovered her passion for African drumming. Over a span of fifteen years, she studied with many masters, including Babatunde Olatunji, Mamady Keita, Sam Turner and at the Tam Tam Mandingue School in Washington, DC. As an award winning percussionist, she performed and recorded with some of the top names in the business, and began sharing her joy of drumming with others by teaching classes and facilitating community drum circles. Her studies continued in 1999 and 2001 in Hawaii with Arthur Hull, where she studied drum circle facilitation and completed the mentor training. She is a founding member of DCFG, (the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild) and has facilitated hundreds of drum circles for a variety of populations. Jaqui has taught privately and given workshops around the country for over two decades through her program, “Drum For Joy!™” As an artist, Jaqui has been teaching private and group art & craft lessons since 1987 - in a variety of mediums. Her work has won several awards and has been published & distributed around the globe. As a newly certified Zentangle® teacher, (CZT, spring 2016), she has been teaching classes at senior centers, art centers, retreats and at her shop, Magnolia House Studios in Maryland.
Website:  www.DrumForJoy.com
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DrumForJoy

Morning Yoga
Hatha Yoga

Lett go of outside attachments, be in the present moment and allow your breath to guide the body and mind into an inner peace. Here you'll learn he foundation of this gentle yoga practice. http://www.sharihinishyoga.com

Didgeridoo and Throat Singing : Ancient Ways for Modern Times
The Australian Didgeridoo is one of the oldest instruments in the world, but there is one even much older- the human voice! 
Both the didgeridoo and the voice have been used for thousands of years for prayer, communication, meditation, and of course music! Learn the basics of didgeridoo (instruments provided) and throat singing in a way that is easy and fun! This class is designed for musicians, health care workers, and anyone interested in the healing use of music in everyday life!

Jim Gagnon is a highly acclaimed storyteller and musician, and founder of the Dreamtime Project. Private lessons available.