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Learn to Facilitate Therapeutic Drum Circles and In Depth Drum Healing Techniques
Inspired by the world’s top community drum circle programs & teachers*, this comprehensive ICDC facilitator training is based on practical, easy-to-learn protocols, developed by the founder of Circles of Rhythm: Judy Atkinson, BA, MA, DCF, Founder Circles of Rhythm & Author of the Drum Code. This 3-Day intensive training will offer participants the necessary theoretical knowledge & application of the ICDC techniques capable of empowering future facilitators to confidently step into facilitating your own Integrated Community Drum Circle. You will learn introductory community building and therapeutic rhythms, tools, and strategies paired with in-depth gentle drumming healing techniques using a series of drums & percussion instruments.
Your instructors will guide you as you begin to develop your personal approach to facilitating the Integrated Community Drum Circle (ICDC). Your instructors have acheived a Masters-Level** Facilitation practice given their experience with applying the ICDC methodology in countless settings***. With the support of global research, evidence based practice, and mentorship – your lead instructor, Julien Lepage, MSW Leadership, Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist will empower you to “step into the transformational journey of an ICDC Facilitator. This training will accelerate students own personal healing journeys: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, while learning how to build meaningful community with the ICDC. This integrative approach utilizes drums from cultures accross the globe. The pursuit of balance in the ICDC (Active and reflective; Mental, physical and spiritual; Powerful and Gentle; Giving and Receiving) will help you to grow exponentially BOTH as a facilitator and as a human being.
Level I – (30 hours of Training)
Level II – (30 hours of Training)
One-Day Gentle Drumming – Healing Program – (10 hours of Training)
We are the only organization who specializes in offering the Integrative Community Drum Circle (ICDC) methodology & certification process in Canada. Circles of Rhythm has the longest community drum circle event that has been consistently offered on Friday Nights in Calgary for 25 years (since September, 1997). This training program is the only one of its kind. It incorporates the DCF teachings from world-renown facilitators such as Babatunde Olatunji’s & Arthur Hull’s Village Music Circle’s, DCFacilitator’s Training Program, Barry Bittman and Christine Stevens’ – HealthRHYTHM Training Program, and the Holyoake DRUMBEAT program that have been synthesized by Judy Atkinson, founder of Circles of Rhythm & author of “The Drum Code, Living Well Between the Beats” to develop this unique, evidence-based wholistic approach to drumming. Circles of Rhythm’s ICDC maximizes the transformational benefits of community drumming by incorporating simple, yet powerful teachings (the Drum Codes), combined with a balanced approach of High Energy Drumming with Gentle Drumming Healing techniques.
This network will help you to enhance your skills as an ICDC facilitator, deepen your learning, and facilitate your growth!
Note that those interested in signing up for the Student ICDC Facilitator Mentorship Program will be subject to an application process that includes an interview, a criminal record check, and an audition. Students must be willing to participate in supervision/mentorship debrief conversations following each event. This Student program has the potential of generating part-time employment as a ICDC facilitator with the Circles of Rhythm Team. We will be focusing on our team in Calgary. We have the intention of expanding this team to Edmonton, AB – Columbia Valley, BC – Winnipeg, MB – and Saskatoon, SK.
Send us your letter of intent at info@circlesofrhythm.com to start the process.
Adults, Children, Seniors, and Others who are currently/or have experienced:
You won’t want to miss this one, truly! You will have the benefit of learning from and being supported by two Masters-Level Integrated Community Drum Circle Facilitators! The grounded wisdom, knowledge, and experience of Julien Lepage, Executive Director of Circles of Rhythm, and the charismatic entrepreneur, Patrick Carrick, are sure to keep you engaged throughout the 3-Day weekend. They will be joined by a number of guest speakers, teachers, indigenous elders, and sound healing facilitators. This dynamic team will leave you with your head spinning (in all the right ways) and your heart on-FIRE! Surely, some of you will be rushing to get into facilitating your first-ever ICDC in hopes of getting your hours in in preparation for your Level-II training!
Julien Lepage, MSW Leadership, Registered Social Worker, Masters-Level ICDC Facilitator, Trainer and Executive Director of Circles of Rhythm. Founder of AHS’s Rhythm Project, Mental Health Therapist & Guide at the Newly Institute, and CEO of Castle Wellness.
Lepage leads his life seeking to be of service to others, guiding individuals to navigate the world and find spaces in which they thrive. Since 2008, he has dedicated his life to supporting adults who experience life with severe and persistent mental illness and/or addiction both clinically, and rhythmically. His approach is inclusive and focuses on evidence-based practices for nervous-system regulation, breaking down barriers and uniting participants through the experience of shared rhythm.
Julien continues to apply his creativity in innovating trauma informed initiatives in clinical settings. He is approachable, authentic, and honest. He encourages all to seek the link between the head and heart. Julien is the proud father of three beautiful children and hopes to inspire others to become better Self-Leaders.
Experience his passionate leadership in a drum circle, in an individual or group therapy session, or in one of his conscious Self-Leadership workshops.
Patrick Carrick is a professional percussionist and the founder of ‘Rhythm By Nature‘, an integrative community drum circle (ICDC) program that has become a popular mainstay in British Columbia’s Kootenay Region, offering a variety of drumming services and events that promote wellness, creativity, and commUnity.
Patrick’s innate connection to drumming took hold in his Australian youth when he discovered the transformative power of collaboration-through-rhythm. This passion has taken him all around the world, finally growing roots in the spectacular Canadian Rockies. After completing his facilitation training with the nationally acclaimed ‘Circles Of Rhythm’, Patrick began hosting integrative drum circles in BC’s Columbia Valley and quickly earned a reputation for his positive impact and inclusive approach to drumming. It wasn’t long before the circle expanded to other communities throughout the Rockie Mountain region, and it continues to grow.
Patrick firmly believes that everyone should have access to the rejuvenating power of drumming, regardless of their background or experience level, and works hard to create an environment that is welcoming and supportive for people of all ages and abilities. Patrick has furthered his studies into the physiological science of rhythm and has taken further accredited trainings such as the internationally recognized ‘Rhythm2Recovery’. Patrick is now an accredited ‘Circles of Rhythm’ Master (ICDC) Drum Circle Facilitator & Trainer and uses this knowledge as a force for healing, connection and joy.
Rhythm by Nature now offers a range of customized services and programs in a variety of settings. From music festivals, school & youth programs, team-building & conference events, wellness retreats, and community gatherings.
Patrick is proud to be a REMO Inc-endorsed facilitator and believes that when you’re able to put a special instrument in front of someone, one’s inner special is drawn out to meet it…
Walter MacDonald White Bear is a Cree singer-songwriter, educator, and motivational speaker originally from the First Nation of Moose Factory, Ontario. Walter has been performing acoustic and flute music for many years. His music is a reflection of his personal journey as a First Nations person in Canada. Performance highlights include The Edmonton Folk Music Festival, The Chiefs Summit with Tom Jackson, The Dream Speakers Festival, The Mountain Song Native Theater, and the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education. Walter has shared his cultural knowledge with various audiences from correctional services to principals, teachers and students. He has been invited to give keynote speeches on a range of topics, including social services, justice, education, wellness and the environment.
Walter creates a safe space and connects human beings by inviting them to share their experiences without judgement, as long as there is respect within the circle. Learn More about his Cross Cultural workshops build bridges between our diverse ways of being and living in the world. They bring together us through understanding, mutual respect, and multi-eyed seeing.
Level I & II ICDC Training Registration begins Friday @ 8:40 am
*It is recommended for all ICDC Level I & II to arrive as early as 6pm to observe “the making of” a community drum circle.
Doors open on Saturday at 8:50 am
*This is a gifted event for you +1 (Value of $50/ticket) It will also be offered to those who are registered for our 1-day Gentle drumming.
1-Day Gentle Drumming Program Registration begins Sunday @ 8:40 am
Cancellation Policy, full refund, less $50 admin fee, can be provided up until two weeks prior to training commencement. 50% refunds can be provided within the two week period prior to training commencement.
Legend – referenced above by *
* “world’s top community drum circle programs & teachers” refers to Babatunde Olatunji’s & Arthur Hull’s Village Music Circle’s, DCFacilitator’s Training Program, Barry Bittman and Christine Stevens’ – HealthRHYTHM Training Program, the Holyoake DRUMBEAT program and many more that have inspired Judy Atkinson, founder of Circles of Rhythm & author of “The Drum Code, Living Well Between the Beats” to develop this unique, in-depth, comprehensive approach aimed at maximizing the transformational benefits of community drumming.
** “Masters-Level”, refers to a ICDC facilitator that has taken Levels II and II, and has facilitated a minimum of 1111hrs of drum circles using the ICDC methodology, and has received a minimum of 222hrs of support, supervision, and mentorship from a Masters-Level ICDC facilitator. If you’d like to join our growing team of ICDC facilitators working towards their Masters-Level, begin recording your hours of facilitation and please contact us at info@circlesofrhythm.com.
*** “applying the ICDC methodology in countless settings” refers to offering the ICDC for: Acute Care Hospital Programs, Mental Health & Addiction Treatment (inpatient, outpatient, community levels), Complex Trauma Treatment services, other Health Care Programs (Cancer Centres, Palliative Care, Chronic Pain, Eating Disorders, Longterm Care, Assisted Living Care Facilities, Adapted Cognitive & Physical Abilities programming, Day Hospitals, Burns Victims, Survivors of Suicide, and more), Professional Team Building, Corporate Workplace Programs, Keynote & Conference Events, School Programs, Seniors Living Facilitates, Festivals, Pub Crawls, Coffee-Shop Jam Nights, Community Events, Wellness Retreats/Workshops, Parades, Funerals, Baby Showers, Birthdays, and Retirement Parties, Wedding & Divorce Ceremonies, by the beach, on a bus, on a roof top, and in a basement… We’ve done it all! If your event is not yet on this list, we’re up for a challenge!
**** the “trauma-sensitive drumming program” is a new 4-week intensive mental health treatment program inspired by the teachings of the ICDC methodology & evidence-based approaches to treating complex post-traumatic stress disorders, treatment resistant depressive disorders, and generalized anxiety / panic disorders. It is currently offered exclusively within the Newly Institute’s Intensive Outpatient Program in Calgary, AB – with the intention of producing evidence-based research data in the coming year. If you would like to help fund this research initiative, contact-us by email at info@circlesofrhythm.com
Since 1997, Circles of Rhythm has been leading North America’s #1 Integrated Community Drum Circle (ICDC), creating a vibrant community that connects people, enhances well-being, and spreads JOY! By empowering entrepreneurs and rhythm enthusiasts, we offer the training and tools to help you build your own thriving drum circle business.
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