Hesitation quickly gave way to joy and shared energy on August 13, 2025, as residents joined a drumming workshop at Heritage of Hudson: Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hudson, Ohio. Led by Maseh Nchang of Trust Drum Circles and mbira musician Mark Hitchcox, attendees embraced rhythms that inspired focus, built confidence, and strengthened connection.
Emily Campbell, Activities Director at Heritage of Hudson, said she was thrilled by the residents’ engagement, noting that everyone was fully involved and immersed in the experience. “Maseh did a wonderful job leading and making the workshop accessible for all residents, regardless of ability,” Campbell said.
Meaning Behind the Music
Nchang established rapport through a relaxed, conversational approach that invited participants to settle in and choose instruments. From there, Hitchcox led on the mbira, playing “Nhemamusasa,” a celebratory song meaning “building a temporary shelter.” As Nchang and the residents joined in with drums and shakers, a shared rhythm emerged. Hitchcox said he chose the piece because the gathering felt like a “temporary shelter,” a space to connect, share laughter, try new things, and explore rhythm together on drums, shakers, and chimes.
The mbira is a traditional instrument of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. It consists of metal keys fixed to a wooden soundboard and is often placed inside a gourd, which amplifies its tone. Played by plucking the keys with the thumbs, the mbira produces layered, meditative rhythms that hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning within the music of the Shona people.
Rhythm as Cognitive Exercise
With attendees feeling confident, the group transitioned into four increasingly engaging drumming sessions that combined creativity and cognitive stimulation. Participants engaged with song beats as they were ready and able while Nchang offered encouragement, smiles, and drumroll cues to conclude each song. The sessions culminated in a lively call-and-response where participants mirrored Nchang’s rhythms, fully engaged both physically and mentally. “How’s that feel?” Nchang asked, prompting delighted responses such as “This is fun…nice…a workout!”
Moments like these illustrate the therapeutic potential of rhythm, which Laurel Myers Hurst – ethnomusicologist, mental health provider, VP of TDC Board of Directors, and author of Groove Therapy – describes as the power of groove-based music: when participants engage with rhythm in a supportive group setting, they experience cognitive stimulation, social connection, and enhanced mental wellness.
Gratefulness in Every Beat
To close the workshop, Nchang guided everyone through a breathing meditation, regulating the energy and calming the room. Gratitude statements followed, with each declaration celebrated by a drumroll: “I am grateful for music and being able to share it with you guys,” Nchang said. Attendees echoed the sentiment, expressing appreciation for the experience and the joy of participating together. Heritage of Hudson Administrator Karen Ginder praised the event, crediting Campbell and her team for bringing in Trust Drum Circles. She said it was among the best activities she’s seen at Heritage of Hudson.
Partnering Organizations
Heritage of Hudson is an 80-bed rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility in Hudson, Ohio. Committed to wellness, healing, and hope for the future, the center provides a comfortable, supportive environment where residents and their families feel valued and empowered, whether they are receiving short-term rehabilitation or long-term skilled care.
Mark Hitchcox, a musician and longtime student of mbira music, has spent more than twenty years studying the instrument’s intricate rhythms and cultural roots in Shona and Zimbabwean traditions. Originally from Ohio, Mark was introduced to the mbira while living in Oregon and Washington. His experiences with mbira music have connected him to people and communities across Ohio, the US, Zimbabwe, and around the world. @zuva.marimba, FB Group: Mbira Ohio, mbiraohio@gmail.com
Laurel Myers Hurst, MA, MS, PMHNP-BC is the Founder and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner of Ohio Integrative Psychiatry Centers. An ethnomusicologist and developer of the Groove Therapy model, Laurel has spent 20+ years exploring the physical, mental, and social benefits of groove-based drumming. She integrates rhythm-based interventions into mental health care, community programs, and educational settings, bridging research and practice. Recognized by the GRAMMY Foundation, the Ohio Arts Council, and the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Laurel works with people of all ages and abilities to foster wellness, connection, and resilience.
Trust Drum Circles, founded in 2022, is a mobile, inclusive arts and wellness organization dedicated to using rhythm to heal, connect, and empower communities. Through adaptive drum circles and music-based programs, TDC fosters growth, joy, and belonging for people of all ages and abilities.
- Contact: maseh@trustdrumcircles.org | +1 (614) 216-8026
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