heartbeat rhythm 

"Djulz has been working with the students at Clifton Creek Primary School for most of 2021 and during that time has nurtured relationships of respect and trust, developing a sense of fun and confidence through drumming. Our first performance night for the community was amazing, with great feedback from the audience. It has been heartwarming to see some of our least confident students grown into confident risk takers, and other students who have been dealing with trauma release some of their feelings through the dun duns. Djulz is so quickly in tune with the needs of individual students and adapts her program to bring out the very best in every child. A fantastic program!"

Sue Paul, Principal, Clifton Creek Primary School

"I highly endorse the Heartbeat Rhythm Program which promotes mindfulness, self-awareness, listening skills, coordination and the learning of rhythm and beat using bass and tone. These excellent hands-on and interactive sessions promote wellbeing and are very engaging. Djulz exudes positive energy, brings enthusiasm, and builds up children’s confidence levels by providing an inclusive program."

​Sarah Walker, Principal, Buchan Primary School

Heartbeat Rhythm is an offering for emerging learning communities at this time. Within these sessions, I deliver cultural and musical lessons for children from very early childhood to those entering the ages of young adulthood. These are based upon the traditions of West African drumming and percussion, as imparted to me over the course of almost twenty years of training in the sub-Sahel countries of Mali and Burkina Faso, throughout the United States, as well as from my base in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges.


I have spent a significant portion of this time engaging children with African ensemble music within school programs throughout Victoria. The most recent incarnation of my teachings was developed in alliance with Regional Arts Victoria as a part of the Creative Workers in Schools Program 2021. Since the recent turning of the tides, however, my focus has been on developing new methods by which to contribute to the education of our children with teachers and artists around Victoria. Within this new wave, my intention is to exemplify what I have learnt from the rich traditions of Africa, and guide children and young adults in movement and music practices that hold within them important teachings for our time.


LEARNING OUTCOMES OF HEARTBEAT RHYTHM

• Awareness of the cultural origins and significance of West African Drumming Ensemble Music
• Understanding basic musical concepts from the foundation of rhythm
• Strengthening listening skills
• Improving language and reasoning skills

WELLBEING RESPONSES FROM HEARTBEAT RHYTHM

• Enhanced capacity for recognising and managing emotions
• Ability to address challenging situations constructively
• Increased resilience and confidence
• Increased capacity for social connection
• Increased ability to cope with stress

I offer sessions for groups of children and youth that introduce the art of the drum circle from a basis of traditional West African music, in a way that supports the transitional journey we share at this time. These sessions can range in duration from 45 minutes (appropriate for children under the age of eight) to two hours. All drums and percussion instruments will be included. To book a workshop for your young ones, or join an existing group in the Mornington Peninsula or Dandenong Ranges, please contact Djulz via djulz@soulcirclesdrumming.com or by calling 0427478221. I look forward to meeting you, and sharing my love for this world and some of its ancient traditions with you and your children.