Artist To Teach 'Community Building'...by Beating Drums

Drummunity is not just a word Lori Fithian made up, it is a concept of community building she teaches to others by beating drums. She will be performing a concert and holding workshops at Mackinac Island Public School Friday, May 11.

She will lead a hands-on workshop for teachers and students in the morning, then give a public concert at 2 p.m. A public workshop will be held at the school at 7 p.m.

The program is sponsored by Mackinac Arts Council.

Ms. Fithian will bring her collection of hand drums and percussion toys to the Island.

The drummunity concept, she believes, is reached when people come together around a circle of drums.

Ms. Fithian said her dynamic program is appropriate for all ages and skill levels.

She has been facilitating drum circles and leading workshops for the last five years, and has played hand drums and studied various drumming traditions since 1990.

Having played the French horn since the fifth grade, Ms. Fithian brings a life-long love of music and rhythm to her drum circles and workshops. She said she was inspired to play drums as a child, when she would strum on Tupperware bowls.

She has studied drum circle facilitation techniques with Arthur Hull, author of "Drum Circle Spirit - Empowering Human Potential Through Rhythm." She has also trained under Dr. Barry Bittman M.D., neurologist and co-founder of HealthRhythms, a drum circle protocol developed for wellness centers.

This is the first of many programs Mackinac Arts Council is offering this year, which culminates with the Mackinac Music Festival, which will be held August 21 through August 23.