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Jonathan Murray

Jonathan Murray is an endorsed Remo Drum Circle Facilitator and uses Remo World Percussion instruments in all FunDrum Rhythm Circles events.

My name is Jonathan Murray and I am the founder of FunDrum Rhythm Circles, a company specializing in rhythm-based events for community building, wellness and celebration. I am passionate about hand drums and percussion, and love to bring their magic to people. My own studies in drumming began in the third grade, when I played snare drum in the elementary school ensemble. Since then, my life's path has taken me to many countries throughout the world, where I have been fortunate enough to have been exposed to many different world rhythm traditions. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, I lived and worked with subsistence farmers in a small village in the Himalayas for two years, and went back to live and study for another year in Kathmandu. My studies there allowed me to do some powerful research into issues of maternal and child health, for which I was awarded my Masters Degree in International and Intercultural Management. Through my studies of cultures, I recognized the global connections in the use of drums and rhythm to integrate the human mind, body and spirit.

I use percussion instruments as tools because they are immediately accessible, requiring little skill or ability to utilize. Additionally, rhythmical music has the power to aid in the development of team consciousness, manifest joy and facilitate well-being in a powerful and long-lasting way. I have been fortunate to be able to work with so many different groups of people and bring them the experience of group drumming. From inner city at-risk youth in Baltimore, to corporate and organizational executives; church groups and wounded soldiers recently returned from Iraq; I love to share the power, cultural connections and feeling of community that drumming can foster.

In addition to my professional activities, I am very active in bringing drumming experiences to the area and am committed to making Baltimore a hub on the East coast of rhythm, culture and music. I am a former Board Member of the Baltimore International Rhythm and Drumming Society (BIRDS), a local institution that promotes drumming related events in Baltimore City, including the annual Rhythm Festival which attracts thousands of people from up and down the east coast.

I am also a founder and current President of the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild, a professional organization of drum circle facilitators with members all over the U.S. and four other countries. The DCFG is dedicated to professionalism in the field of drum circle facilitation and works hard to support facilitators all over the planet with educational resources, marketing tools and other professional services.

May all rhythms be happy!

The FunDrum Crew

The following people help to make FunDrum Rhythm Circles' programs fun and meaningful. They all come from different backgrounds and possess different skills that make our programs so successful.

	Ayadapo Peter Oyelana - Peter is a master talking drum player from Nigeria. He is famous for his passionate and dynamic playing. Peter has great group skills and is a social worker by profession. He brings an excitement and energy into FunDrum's programs.
	Elizabeth Mitchell - Elizabeth is a musical marvel. She has been a music teacher for the last 23 years and was a classical pianist and dancer before that. Her knowledge of music and group dynamics brings a lot to our programs. Elizabeth is a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, and Arthur Hull's 2003 Facilitator's Playshop in Hawaii.
	Nellie Hill - Nellie is a local music teacher with over 20 years experience in the classroom. In addition to all of her music teaching experience, she is also a facilitator who runs her own local community drum circle (see The Village Drum page for details). Nellie is a graduate of Arthur Hull's 2004 East Coast Facilitator's Playshop and a Board Member of the Drum Circle Facilitator's Guild.
	Ann O'Neill - Ann is a bright spirit who has been working with FunDrum since 2003. She is famous for her energetic bass drum playing, and has a deep interest for the healing aspects of drumming. Ann is a massage therapist with a background in the healing profession. Her passion is for helping others and having fun doing it.
	Dorinda Adams - Dorinda is an accomplished social worker and is well known for her work in respite care. Dorinda brings a skillful and compassionate approach to FunDrum's wellness programs. Dorinda is a graduate of Arthur Hull's 2004 Eastcoast Facilitator's Playshop, and 2004 Health Rhythms Training.