Elective session
Drum Circles: Learn to lead
At its core, a drum circle’s aim is that participants feel better after the activity than they did when they started. Learning to lead a drum circle to improve the health and wellbeing of your students is an exercise in good non-verbal communication and the benefits for your students of participation are numerous. Drum circles build leadership and listening skills, enhance cooperation and create a strong sense of community.
Percussionist Allan Watson will lead you in this rhythm-driven hands-on workshop, demonstrating the art of group communication to achieve fun, encouraging and interesting music making over the rousing sounds of your student’s drum circle.
This workshop is for everyone who can hold a beat. If you can dance or walk to a groove, you can lead a drum circle.
Recommended for teachers
🟩 Generalist
Recommended for teachers of learning stages
✅ K-2 / Early Stage 1, Stage 1
✅ 3-4 / Stage 2
✅ 5-6 / Stage 3
About Allan Watson
Allan Watson is a professional percussionist and timpanist with more than 39 years’ experience working in the Opera Australia Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. He was a lecturer at the University of NSW for over 10 years teaching percussion techniques to trainee teachers.
He has been a clinician for Education Conventions and has also performed with MSO, SSO and on many film scores, games soundtracks & TV shows. Allan has developed and improved many new and unique percussion products and is co-founder and manager of Optimum Percussion. Allan is also a Zildjian Cymbals Orchestral and Education Artist.
