Workshops & Instructors at The Great Rhythm Revival
The 2024 schedule is in progress and will be released in Spring 24’!
But check out last year’s 2023 Schedule, most of our instructors are returning with similar offering and new material!
Learning something new is a key part of the Revival experience. Please know that all workshops are beginner friendly and require no prior experience. We do have a limited number of drums available for you to use during the drumming workshops. To be assured of having something to play we recommend bringing your own drum if you have one.
Jim Donovan M.Ed., Director/Founder, Great Rhythm Revival, he, him, his.
Wisdom of Rhythm - A beginner friendly immersion into the transformative power of rhythm and drumming.
The Energy of Sound -Meditative Chanting, Sound Healing Techniques. Learn how to activate your body’s hidden healing potential — using research based sound and vibration.
Jim Donovan M.Ed., Jim Donovan M.Ed. is a professional musician, Assistant Professor at Saint Francis University and TEDx speaker. 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.
Sogbety Diomande (Ivory Coast) Master drummer and stilt dancer, he, him, his
West African Rhythm and Drumming
Get a glimpse of West Africa with Sogbety Diomande, native of the Ivory Coast, through drumming and dance, colorful costumes, musical instruments, rhythms and songs.
Sogbety Diomande, native of the Ivory Coast in West Africa, is a professional drummer and dancer and has been performing since he was a child. He has been a member of Ballet National de Cote d’Ivoire, Kotchegna Dance Company, and has been featured with many troupes in NYC and around the US. He spends most of his time working as a solo artist doing drum workshops, assemblies and lectures in schools, universities, community centers, and juvenile correctional facilities and libraries. Sogbety is happy to share his culture with groups all over the country so that people can get a glimpse of life in a different land.
Melissa Deaton Cook LPC; NCC, she, her, hers
Mike Tamburo, Nationally acclaimed Sound Artist, Gong Instructor and Meditation Teacher he, him, his
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Rachel Allen, Mindful Movement and Music, she, her, hers
Expressive Arts
Trees of Inspiration (ART) New for 2023!
Trees are amazing, strong, intriguing forces of nature. They can represent grounding, growth, and strength. They can be the containers for memories. They can be a source of inspiration and hope. Sometimes they can bring a moment of hilarity as they break the norms of imagination by growing in funny, intriguing places or positions. They can teach us how to find joy and strength in all stages of life and just maybe how not to take ourselves too seriously. Come see what we can learn from trees through small movement, creative mark making, and a splash of color. Just as there are no wrong notes there are no wrong marks when creativity is called upon. All supplies provided. No artistic experience needed.
Nature, Our Muse (ART)
Join Meli in calming, centering, and grounding both the mind and the nervous system with gentle movement, mark making, and community. Nature will be our muse and our support during this creative experience. We will pause in nature, respond with creative expressions, and prepare ourselves to absorb all the wonderful things the weekend has to offer. Just as there are no wrong notes there are no wrong marks when creativity is called upon. Artistic ability /experience is not required. All materials provided.
Gong Bath -Sound Meditation with Gongs and Bells
Allow yourself to enter a timeless space of listening as Mike Tamburo orchestrates his way through 40+ overtone rich instruments including Gongs, Bells, Hammered Dulcimer and tuned metal instruments. Listeners have described Mike Tamburo's music as an adventure in listening; sonic bliss; a deep and lasting vibrational rejuvenation for body and soul; a profound aesthetic experience; a journey through the senses and a perceptual rollercoaster. Allow yourself to be still and listen.
PLEASE BRING a yoga mat, blanket, or cushion for your comfort during extended relaxation on the floor.
Mike Tamburo has spent his life serving and exploring the power of music. His concerts and workshops are heart centered, uplifting, sonically multi-dimensional, life affirming experiences that focus on self transformation through conscious listening and breathing.
Mindful Movement
NEW! Music as Mycelium & The Work That Reconnects
Come explore singing and movement with simple chants, melodies and walking songs to build connection & community,
Inspired by Joanna Macy & The Work That Reconnects, come prepared to sing, play, move and explore creating in small groups, your own compositions/medicine bundles!
About Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen, B.A. Political Science/Sociology, is a Certified Music Practitioner, Sound Healer, Reiki Master, Emerging Writer and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with a trauma informed/social justice framework.
She has 20 years experience of working with hospice patients and their families, patients in a variety of health conditions in clinical settings, survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence, adults and youth with mental illness and people who are incarcerated Rachel is also passionate about supporting and working with caregivers to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue.
Regionally, nationally, internationally and virtually, she teaches and presents at conferences and retreats, weaving live music, yoga, and creative movement into themes of compassion, self acceptance, and transformation. Rachel is committed to engaging people from all walks of life in the healing arts to create healthy, diverse, and joyful communities. http://www.yogasong.net
Tricia Chirumbole, Ecstatic Dance, she, her, hers
5 Rhythms and The Joy of Ecstatic Movement
A 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: Dancing Mindfulness (trauma informed), Somasource, Contact Improv, and Ecstatic Dance.
Matthew Adams, MSPC, MFA, he, him, his
Future Walk (Nature Journaling) New for 2022!
Often we use the woods for contemplation and reflection on the past, but they can also be windows into our possible futures. Join us for a nature walk as we contemplate what the forest can tell us about using our gifts to embrace a gentle but assertive approach to our lives going forward.
This experience will invite participants to use journaling as a speculative practice, utilize the imagery of nature as a way of understanding ourselves in a more universal way, and approach the world around us with more compassion while remaining grounded and resolute in our values and principles.
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 Revival, 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.
Bryan Fazio, Afro-Cuban Conga, he, him his
Michael Deaton, Drum Circle Leadership, he, him, his
Maureen Lauer-Gatta, Yoga, Adjunct Youngstown State University, ERYT 500, she, her, hers
Kimberly McElhatten
Writing Editor, and Content Strategist
Conga Drumming / Hand Drumming
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.
A limited number of private & group lessons are available for this instructor.
New for 2023!
(NEW!) Funk Style Hand Drumming
(NEW!) South African Drumming: The Mozambique Rhythm
Afro-Cuban Drumming: The Abakua Rhythm
Rhythm for the Spoken Word – with Matthew Adams
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.
NEW! Musicality (Creative Music Making)
Like a drum circle, only different. We begin with hand percussion and small drums, playing with melody and harmony as we welcome all instruments, all notes, and all sounds. Expect surprises!
This is first of all a FUN and facilitated experience. The bonus is you will also learn musical games you can bring to your own groups, family events, and drum circles. Any personal instruments are welcome and no musical experience or special skills are needed. There are no wrong notes.
Mike Deaton is a drummer, gong player, music facilitator, and a Global Trainer for Arthur Hull and Village Music Circles. He has been teaching all ages, leading drum circles, and empowering humans through sound, art, and movement for over 20 years..
Community Drumming at the Fire 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!
A limited number of private & group lessons are available for this instructor.
Yoga for Everyone
Gentle yoga classes to help you to keep smiling.
Maureen has practicing yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2003 (certified through Inner Wellness). She has a unique gift for adapting the practice of yoga to meet any practitioner where they are. With a knowledge of anatomy, key muscles are utilized to deepen the poses helping to create greater flexibility and strength both in the mind and body.
Maureen has been practicing yoga for well over a decade and teaching almost as long. She brings a strong practice of mindfulness into her classes to create a sense of purpose and compassion that are taught with kindness and humor. She has been meditating for almost a decade and has recently been practicing Mindfulness meditation. In February of this year she attended a 7 day training on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli in California.
The Evening Sing
Singing brings us together like nothing else. Bring whatever voice you have to this transformative experience of release and joy.
Having Essential Conversations & Enhancing Your Connection with the World
(Description coming soon)
Michael Mervosh, M.Ed. is a licensed psychologist, facilitator and trainer who practices in the US and Europe. He’s the executive director of The Hero’s Journey Foundation and founder of PsychoEnergetics Training Program.
Writing as Meditation
Learn to use focused writing sessions to nourish a creative, intentional life. Combine meditation and breathwork with your journal practice.
Reluctant and seasoned journalers and meditators are welcomed to this warm, judgment-free workshop. Please bring a journal.
Kimberly McElhatten is a writing coach, editor, and content strategist. Through The Writing Circle, she helps passion-driven people tell their stories to grow their impact.
She’s an assistant editor for Brevity Magazine and Fourth River Literary Magazine and the lead content strategist for Great Things, LLC.
Kimberly is currently accepting new clients who want to tell their stories and make a difference. Request a private coaching or editing session at GRR with Kimberly by emailing kim@openroads.life
Website: openroads.life