A Growing Need and a Powerful Response
In 2025, Trust Drum Circles expanded its youth programming across Northeast Ohio, partnering with schools and youth organizations to deliver hands-on, culturally rooted drumming workshops that reached hundreds of children. Supported by community partnerships and growing interest in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), TDC saw significant increases in both demand and measurable youth engagement outcomes.
This expansion reflects a broader trend among youth-serving organizations seeking accessible music-enrichment experiences that support emotional regulation, community building, and a sense of belonging.
What We Learned This Year
Across all youth sites, several themes emerged:
- Youth are eager for hands-on, creative learning experiences.
- Drumming provides immediate access to emotional expression and regulation.
- Leadership and cooperation develop organically in rhythm-based environments.
- Teachers and youth leaders consistently observed increases in confidence and engagement.
- Many organizations requested multi-sessions rather than single workshops.
These outcomes reflect not only artistic engagement, but foundational SEL growth.
Educators and youth leaders also reported consistent outcomes in increased cooperation, deeper peer connection, and visible growth in self-expression and enjoyment of learning.
Stories From the Field
Shaw JCC of Akron
At the Shaw JCC of Akron, rhythm-based workshops offered children a hands-on opportunity to explore music as a shared, collaborative experience. Lyndsey Heffern, Youth Program Director, said the sessions created space for self-expression and creativity while supporting meaningful social-emotional growth.
“The immersive and hands-on experience allowed our children to engage in a journey of self-expression and creativity.”
While the children explored unfamiliar instruments, Heffern said participation deepened. Rhythms became a shared language, and leadership emerged organically.
“As the children learned to listen to one another, synchronize their beats, and take turns leading the group, they built confidence, cooperation, and mutual respect.” Heffern noted that the experience “aligned seamlessly with The Shaw JCC of Akron’s mission to nurture personal growth, community connection, and a love for learning in an inclusive and supportive environment.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio
Trust Drum Circles also partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio through The Opening Track Music Program, providing drum, rhythm, and music appreciation sessions for youth in Akron and Summit County. Kimberly Shemo, M.Ed., Music Program Manager, described strong enthusiasm among club members and growing interest across multiple regions.
“These sessions keep the arts alive, help our club youth with social and emotional learning, and teach valuable communication skills and camaraderie.”
Shemo noted that youth engagement has driven plans to expand programming beyond Akron to additional club sites in Cleveland, Lorain, Elyria, and Sandusky, reflecting both demand and the program’s adaptability across communities.
Final Third Foundation
Benjamin Levey, Executive Director of the Final Third Foundation, highlighted the organization’s role in fostering emotional well-being, cultural preservation, and community connection through rhythm-based programming.
“Trust Drum Circles provides unique and transformative experiences, using rhythm and drumming as a tool for personal growth, teamwork, and community building.”
Levey emphasized that Trust Drum Circles’ work aligns with broader goals around youth engagement, social-emotional development, and access to meaningful arts experiences, particularly through partnerships with schools, youth organizations, and disability-service providers across the region.
What the Research Shows
A 2023 review published in Frontiers in Neuroscience examined the relationship between music engagement and adolescent mental health, finding that music plays a meaningful role in supporting emotional regulation, social connection, creativity, and cognitive development. Rather than framing music as inherently beneficial or harmful, the authors examine both sides, highlighting benefits and risks while emphasizing that music’s impact is shaped by the conditions under which young people engage with it.
Findings identify that positive developmental outcomes are strongest when music experiences are intentional, age-appropriate, and actively facilitated. Supportive learning environments and guided participation in music-making help young people engage more deeply, express themselves constructively, and build connections with peers. The authors further note that coordinated efforts across schools, families, and community organizations are essential to ensuring music serves as a healthy and supportive developmental resource for youth.
Taken together, these findings help explain why structured, participatory music programs are increasingly valued in youth-serving settings. Findings also align with how Trust Drum Circles designs and delivers rhythm-based programming across youth organizations and schools, emphasizing active engagement, thoughtful facilitation, and environments that support connection, creativity, and belonging.
The Opportunity Ahead
Every rhythm session TDC delivers reflects a convergence of research-backed outcomes and on-the-ground observations that highlight clear patterns of impact: rhythm-based programming supports measurable gains in emotional regulation, social connection, confidence, and cultural awareness, aligning directly with youth mental-health needs and statewide educational priorities, like the ones included in Ohio’s K-12 Social and Emotional Learning Standards.
To expand this work in 2026, Trust Drum Circles is seeking partners committed to increasing equitable access to arts and SEL programming.
Sustained funding will enable TDC to Achieve the Following
- Serve more schools and youth organizations requesting repeat sessions
- Offer multi-sessions proven to deepen learning and SEL growth
- Train additional facilitators to meet rising demand
- Reduce the cost burden for schools with limited arts budgets
- Continue gathering data to document and strengthen future impact
Help Us Bring Rhythm to More Youth in 2026
🥁 Contribute: Support youth-accessible arts programming: https://trustdrumcircles.org/donate/
🤝 Partner With Us: To explore grant partnerships, school programming, or funding initiatives, contact Maseh Nchang, Founder & Executive Director.
Email: maseh@trustdrumcircles.org
Phone: (614) 216-8026
📪 Sign Up for our Newsletter: Want to receive monthly news and updates on TDC’s latest programs and community impact?
Enter your name and email at the top of our News & Events page: https://trustdrumcircles.org/news-events/
