Monday, October 24, 2022

ABOUT US

Contact Tim at ripplerhythm@gmail.com

DRUMMER FOR LIFE

I've always been passionate about music, and have played many different instruments in all kinds of bands, from piano and trombone in highschool, to Taiko drumming in Japan, to Brazilian Samba parade bands and here in Toronto, but when I found the Trinity-Bellwoods drum circle in the summer of 2002, everything changed:  there was no music to read, no conductor, no distinction between audience and participant - just drummers adding layers on whatever was happening. 

The music was incredibly organic, dynamic, powerful and palpable, and I found it fulfilled a primal need that had long been ignored. I went religiously each week after that, and as the group grew from dozens to hundreds in the following years I took on a coordinator role, mediating between the participants and the city and neighbourhood we played in to help arrange permits for the event.

It was through this position that I became aware of Drum Circle Facilitators who actually made a living sharing the joys and benefits of group drumming with other groups - playshops for schools, team-building events for companies or community groups, or therapy for seniors or at-risk youth.

The work is incredibly rewarding - shy people open up, angry people turn gracious, kids accidentally learn math, and rivals discover common ground. Drumming truly is the greatest (and oldest) way to bring different people together and have fun. I even met my wife at the drum circle. I am forever grateful for all that it's has taught me - to listen more than you play, to go with the flow and to not be afraid to try new things. Most of all: work hard at what you love and develop your talents.

Dive in and let'er rip - the sky's the limit!


FACILITATION EXPERIENCE

Scotiabank, Team-building Toronto
ScotiaPalooza, Call and response performance, bucket drumming show with top executives, KoolHaus
Jameson's Whiskey, Performance for Bartenders Ball, Drake Hotel, Toronto (2014)
Toronto Teachers' Pension Plan, Toronto
10 Minute All-Ages Drum Circle Playshops on Toronto Island
10 Minute All-Ages Drum Circle Playshops, Toronto Harbourfront Centre
Muhtadi International Drumming Festival, Toronto (2013-14)
Somos Percusion Playshops Medellin, Colombia 
Sistering.org Women's Shelter, therapeutic drumming
energi PR, Toronto
Renni Clinic
McNally House Hospice (Therapeutic drum training for staff, volunteers and clients)
Upper Canada Chorus (Team building, Classes & Rehearsal, Performance), GTA
Drum Circle 101 at Long & McQuade, Toronto

Long & McQuade Music Academy, North York
Lululemon Atheltica Team-building, (Queen & Spadina) Toronto
Lululemon Athletica Team-building, (Square One Mall), Mississauga
Lululemon Athletica Team-building (Eaton's Centre), Toronto
Hillside Festival, Guelph, (Drum circle playshop)
Nuit Blanche, Toronto (Drum circle)
Audience Communication and Events, Toronto
Bloor West Fest
Taste of Lawrence Festival
Sphere Entertainment, Toronto
BOOM Marketing
York University, Teacher Training, Toronto
Readers Digest Association Staff Picnic
LOFT Community Services, John Gibson House, Adults with Special Needs Drumming Program
LOFT Community Services Professional Development Day, Toronto
Robertson House Shelter Weekly Mother and Child drumming program, Toronto
South Riverdale Community  Health Centre Earth Day Celebration
Black History Month, John Gibson House, Toronto
Buddha Groove 11-11-11, Toronto
Thornecliffe Park Public School, Toronto
Shaughnessy Public School, Toronto
Montessori School of Wellington, Guelph, Ontario
Delisle Youth Services, Toronto 


Cultura Festival, Mel Lastman Square, Toronto
Bloorcourt Festival, Toronto
Mothercraft Early Years Centre 10th Anniversary, Toronto
College View Supportive Housing Services, Toronto  
Friends of Greenwood Park Fall Festival, Toronto
Young People's Theatre Fundraiser Body Percussion Playshop, Toronto
Fleur-De-Lys Pathfinder and Adventurer Club
Kirabo Canada, Toronto
93rd St. George's Cub Scout Group, Toronto
Bracebridge Villa Retirement Lodge, Bracebridge
Bohemian Cafe, Bracebridge
Sunshine Senior's Centre, Wards Island, Toronto  
2012: Gateway to Your Future Conference, University of Toronto, Toronto
Pauline Jr. Public School, 6 week program creating music performed at their Spring Concert
Pauline Jr. Public School Assembly
Brown Public School 8 week program
World Playground Project Fundraiser, Toronto
The Society – Supper Salon: Diego Felix, Toronto
Private Lessons
Performances
Many, Many Birthday Parties!


GROUP DRUMMING EXPERIENCE

Drummers in Exile Freestyle Drum & Dance Circle: freestyle drummer 2002-2010
Arthur Hull Drum Circle Facilitator Training Playshop (Host and Participant)
Arthur Hull Rhythmical Alchemy Playshop (Host and Participant)
Drummers in Exile Freestyle Drum & Dance and Trinity-Bellwoods Park Drum & Poi Circle: main coordinator 2005- 2010
Nuit Blanche Toronto 2007-09, 2011
San Alejo Drum Circle, Medellin, Colombia 2011
Samba Elegua, shaker, caixa, djembe 2006-2009
Tribal Dance Trance 2005-2006
NHK Taiko Drumming Club (Komagane Japan) 2001-2002
Djembryo (Percussion Dance Fusion) 2009

YOGA & DANCE DRUMMING  
The Yoga Sanctuary, Prana Yoga
Punk Rock Yoga
Tula Hot Yoga & Spa
Yogatherapy Dream Yoga
The Society – Yogart: I
Tribal Dance Trance


PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Hons. BA Theatre and Dramatic Arts, University of Waterloo
Graduate George Brown Theatre School
Garden Brothers School of Circus Arts
Children's Clown
Event Coordinator
Performer
Singer Songwriter