Cornell Coley, M.Ed. is an “in demand” award-winning percussionist, dancer, teacher and public performance artist. He most recently conducted artist residencies and received several grant awards from the Design Center 4 Social Intervention, the City of Boston, The Boston Foundation and New England Foundation for the Arts. After much success as an African diaspora dance instructor, he turned to therapeutic and educational drumming where he has been active for twenty years.

Using drumming, movement, singing, therapeutic strategies and cultural contexts, Cornell’s drumming sessions bring joy, fun and laughter to improve wellness. The healing powers of drumming improve the physical, mental and emotional abilities of young and old.

Participants sit in a circle and receive instruments to play, including drums and percussion placed in front of their chairs. Cornell introduces the origins of community drumming and any relevant themes. Participants are then led through fun activities that warm them up. He introduces basic playing techniques by “teaching without teaching” in a series of “rumbles” (hand drumming rolls) with interlaced opportunities to echo rhythms back to him. Participants play intros to who they are, make up their own beats and learn rhythms from Cornell. He introduces families of shakers, scrapers and bells with songs and movement. He explores call and response songs and rhythms with everyone. He demonstrates unusual drums and percussion instruments and distributes many for people to try out. He talks about the origins of drums and percussion from various cultures. His approach stimulates many welcome questions and comments.

Cornell is a favorite at libraries, festivals, cultural celebrations as well as youth, adult and senior centers throughout greater Boston and New England. He also conducts Memory Cafes for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia, servicing dozens per year. These rhythm-based interventions are particularly helpful for people with stroke, Parkinson's, brain injury, and trauma. Sufferers of PTSD and ADHD also benefit. He includes the well-documented, evidence-based HealthRhythms protocol in this practice as well as other strategies from years of training and experience.

Cornell’s drumming sessions are comprehensive, challenging self-limiting beliefs and preconceptions about what is possible. Drumming in community with skilled facilitation helps connect the brain hemispheres, restore muscle control, bring out social interaction, calm emotions and inspire hope. Participants of color are delighted to see their cultures explored and respected. Join us and be inspired!

 

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Groveland Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.