By Andrea Noble

NewsLeader

Barbara Karmazyn is an Expressive Arts Facilitator and Educator as well as a freestyle dancer.

She works with people of all ages to encourage creativity, self expression and playfulness through rhythm, dance, storytelling and art.

Twenty-five years ago, Barbara Karmazyn used to run preschool play classes in Burnaby.

A few years later, she became the director of the arts camp at the Shadbolt Centre, which she ran for eight years. Using her knowledge and passion, she designed courses and workshops to teach caregivers and educators.

Then, 12 years ago on her 50th birthday, she decided to do something fun and signed up for a drum workshop in Hawaii taught by Arthur Hull.

Hull uses a method called Recreational Music Making or RMM.

“It’s not ethno-specific,” said Karmazyn. “Many cultures have this kind of drum circle, but with Arthur’s method the rhythms come from within. The facilitator starts off with a steady beat and people just play. It’s spontaneous, creative and improvisational.”

In the end, drumming turned into a new area of Karmazyn's business.

Every Tuesday, she leads a drum circle at the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, something she also does for many other groups.

On Oct. 23, from 1-2:30 p.m., she will be teaching Recreational Music Making to seniors at the Cameron Recreation Centre. The workshop is called Revitalize and Energize with Round Rhythms and Sound. It’s free, but participants must register in advance. Call 604-294-7980 to sign up for this free, exciting event.

“Drumming cuts across all barriers, culture, age and ability. That’s the magic of it,” said Karmazyn.

With seniors, Barbara brings drums with mallets, which tend to be easier to play. Plus, she brings all sorts of fun percussion instruments including maracas, bells and pieces of wood and metal.

“The first sound we hear is the rhythm of our mother’s heartbeat. Rhythm is our first language. One of the ways to connect to our rhythm is to play the drum, the easiest instrument to play. All we have to do is let our hand fall onto the drum and we create sound,” said Barbara.

Recently when Barbara was leading a drum circle with a group of seniors, one woman said she was reminded of her childhood.

“I incorporate songs, and the songs will trigger memories,” she said. “This woman was playing and started singing ‘Roll out the Barrel’ in Hungarian.” Tears came to her eyes as she remembered being a girl in Hungary.

“Drumming is non-threatening and empowering… it’s healing. The vibrations of the drum have an effect on your body. It’s like an internal massage, right down to the cellular level.”

Studies have shown it has a positive impact on the immune system too.

Now, there are thousands of drum facilitators around the world who have taken Arthur Hull’s program. Recreational Music Making is used in countless ways to help children at risk, youth at risk, as well as with people in prisons, schools and seniors centres.

Karmazyn said she knows people who have led drum circles with soldiers in Iraq, people recovering from Hurricane Katrina and victims of 9/11.

“Drumming is very powerful, but most importantly, it’s fun!"

To learn more, visit Barbara’s website at www.karmazyn.com" www.karmazyn.com or call 604-421-6200.

SIDEBAR

THE BENEFITS OF RECREATIONAL MUSIC MAKING

· strengthens the immune system response

· activates memory

· enhances clarity and focus

· releases stress and tension

· promotes feelings of joy and well being

· facilitates feelings of group identity, group synergy and cohesiveness