Drumming for Your Life Institute is dedicated to using the power of rhythm to help children and youth develop the emotional, academic, and social skills they need to succeed in school and in life.

The Institute's goal is to bring the benefits of drumming to schools, juvenile justice facilities, cancer and addiction rehabilitation centers.

Too many children lack basic reading skills critical for success in school and in life, and lack the motivation or confidence to engage in and benefit from traditional reading instruction. Drumming for Your Life (DFYL)’s Reading and Rhythm Program has shown that incorporating rhythm-making and rhythm-listening into reading instruction can significantly improve the motivation and proficiency of even the most resistant readers.

The Rhythm of Learning program uses rhythm to establish a classroom management system, giving teachers the tools to unify and focus students.

This program promotes active listening, increases individual participation and learning capacity, builds community and dispels stress and disruptive behaviors.
“My students have an increased level of focus and concentration. Class assignments and test scores are dramatically improving.” Evelyn Soo, 5th grade teacher, National Board Certified

The Reading and Rhythm program (held during or after school) uses rhythm to increase fluency. Students use rhythm as a way to move through words. They are inspired to read when they hear and feel the rhythm. A stronger connection between the reader, story and teacher is created.

JUVENILE JUSTICE...
The Rhythm of Transformation program (AKA Life Skills Drumming program) uses rhythm to help youths cope with emotions and improve self-esteem. Teens learn to maintain control over anger and impulsive behavior in order to connect and communicate with others, and envision a more positive life.

“I came into this program ‘mad’ at the world. But now, life is so ‘easy’ and I’m thankful for this program.” N.W., incarcerated youth.

ADDICT REHABILITATION CENTERS...
The Rhythm of Discovery program guides addicts to discover and confront the emotions that drive their addictions, while they learn to master the connection between mind and body. Drumming offers a way to safely express negative feelings and transform them into positive experiences through a unique device called Rhythmic Codingsm.

CANCER FACILITIES...

The Rhythm of Empowerment program assists patients fighting cancer by reducing health-related stress, and feelings of helplessness caused by chronic illness

Steven Angel is the founder, creator, facilitator and trainer of programs that are dedicated to using the power of rhythm to help children and youth develop academic, emotional, and social skills that they need to succeed in school and in life. In 1998, Steven created the Life Skills Drumming program to help at-risk youth deal with impulsive behavior and learn self-empowerment. Following that success, Steven created the Rhythm of Learning in-classroom program, which uses rhythm and other techniques in all subjects to help students achieve higher grades and to improve their behavior. Since 2003, Steven has implemented the Reading and Rhythm program as an after-school and in-school program. Steven has trained facilitators who have worked with 30 schools through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, LAUSD, and Rio Hondo Education Consortium over the last two years. Steven has facilitated the Rhythm of Learning Professional Development workshops and has reached over 1,000 teachers over the last three years through grants from Washington Mutual. Additionally, Steven facilitates workshops for addiction rehabilitation centers, cancer facilities, juvenile halls, and a veterans’ hospital.

Stephen Sedmak
Gavin Greenaway
Myra Angel, Ph.D
Rosina Ehrlich
Nancy Eichelberger
Billie E. Thomas

Treasurer/Secretary
Nancy Eichelberger

Legal Counsel
Bingham McCutchen, LLP
Mark P. Pifko, Esq.

C.P.A.
Dan Delaney

Program Supporter ($10,000 +)

John Powell
Washington Mutual

Circle ($5,000 +)
Wellpoint Foundation
RMC Water and Environment

Solo ($1,000 +)
Gavin Greenaway
Anonymous
City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs


Long Roll ($500 +)
John and Leslie Densmore
Anonymous
PJ Hanke
Target Corporation


Drum Roll ($250 +)
Michael Caruano
Dick Fontaine
Hillcrest Associates
Bonnie Raitt
Laura Shifron
Anonymous
Bata/Starr Counseling Associates
Geoff Zanelli
Vella M. Cameron
Justin Burnett


Drum Beat ($100 +)
Laura Capellaro
Carl Samuels
Margaret Knirsch
Linda Marten
Alan Meyerson
Danny & Marylata Jacob
Bob Badami


Pulse
Theodore Rose
Rosemary Donovan
Anonymous
Anina Lincoln
Richard Parissi

Why music, rhythm and drumming?
Music is the “village glue” that’s been holding people together since the earliest civilizations. It permeates all cultures. Drums are extremely powerful tools for generating healing and creating community.
Rhythm can be found in every aspect of life. It is a fundamental organizing principle of living systems, and social rhythms play a major role in human behavior.
Group drumming connects people in a primal, kinesthetic way. This experience is called entrainment. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon which causes simultaneous, but independent rhythms to become synchronized.

Because the work that we do is so important, we would love to continue to build and grow to impact as many people as possible. To do this, we would ulitmately like to have new books for the classrooms, new drums, and snacks for kids during their sessions.