“Dear DCFG,
Now that my head is finally above water after a whirlwind of school, work, and life, I’ve had some time to reflect on the incredible experience I had at the DCFG conference this past March—and I couldn’t let the summer go by without sharing just how much it meant to me.
Attending the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild conference was a turning point. From the moment I arrived, I felt the heartbeat of something much bigger than myself. DCFG is more than an organization—it’s a living, breathing community of changemakers who bring rhythm into spaces that need it most. Hospitals, rehabs, schools, nursing homes—everywhere you turn, members of this community are using the drum to spark connection, healing, and joy.
The weekend reshaped me. I wouldn’t be on my current path without DCFG. This community has not only influenced my career direction—it’s helped me rediscover what really matters: presence, authenticity, and humanity. I’m honored to grow within this family, and I’m committed to carrying the values I’ve learned into every rhythm I share moving forward.
“It’s about connection, not perfection.”
That simple phrase stuck with me. In a degree that demands so much precision and perfectionism, DCFG gave me permission to just be—flawed, real, and human.
“For wisdom is better than rubies; and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.”
The wisdom that lives in this community—passed not through textbooks, but through the heart and spirit of the drums—is something I greatly cherish. This summer, where the world is in incredible turmoil, it is more important now to look to our elders.
One of the most impactful things I took home was the use of language within rhythm—from raps to poems to mnemonic devices. These tools brought the drum circle to life in a new way for me; making rhythm more accessible and personal. I’ve already incorporated language into the bucket drumming classes I’m teaching this summer, and these tools give my students a sense of pride and empowerment behind the drums. I also had the joy of exploring Jamtown’s Sun, Moon, and Star drums—beautiful instruments that invite exploration and storytelling within drumming.
Beyond all the learning, there was the joy of jamming with familiar faces—the laughter, the late-night drum circles, and the unspoken connections. Those moments reminded me that healing isn’t always heavy. Sometimes, it’s in the pure, shared joy of music.
“Who are we? DCFG!”
Boom taki tak—the drum circle calls, and I’m here for it.
With endless gratitude and rhythm,
Rose Brown”
