Celebrating Our Journey, Envisioning Our Future: My DCFG Conference Experience

Scholarship Essay
-by Sara Neufeld
“Celebrating Our Journey – Envisioning Our Future in Rhythm Drum Circle Facilitators Guild 20th Anniversary Conference Review
On Wednesday, February 26, 2025 I left my hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada to embark upon an experience I was not sure what to expect from. I held intentions of meeting other facilitators from around the world, learning new skills, having great conversations, and creating ripples of rhythm over the weekend and beyond. All of these intentions became a reality over the following 5 days. The 20th Anniversary Conference in Myrtle Beach was the first DCFG conference that I’ve attended, I will definitely be attending future conferences. I really appreciated that the agenda was set and that there were numerous sessions to experience. Although some of the sessions could have definitely been longer to get more in depth with what was being presented, it was a great opportunity to experience the wealth of knowledge and expertise that exists outside of my small network of facilitators near me in Alberta. Some highlights included Jen Swerdlow’s Mandala Vision Board session which utilized rhythm to guide us through reflections and ideas for our desired futures as Drum Circle Facilitators; Tombotch’s wealth of knowledge as a master drummer in Ghana, and John Fitzgerald’s “Groove on the Move”. When Sule Greg Wilson took the stage he transported us through history and culture and connection while rising beyond hate. The CHIME to drum session presented by our Scottish colleagues tugged at my heart strings as personal stories were shared about how the presenters discovered drumming and how it literally saved their lives. We should have been forewarned to bring kleenex as many of us had tears flowing down our cheeks. Lucas Coffey and Aaron Kierbel had us thinking about the Gold Nuggets that we may not even realize we have at our fingertips, and had me reflecting about what are the gold nuggets in my facilitation practice. Jim Donovan had us discovering the power of our voices to unlock healing through sound, it was a very powerful moment to hear and feel so much energy in one room! There were a number of other sessions that happened over the weekend that ignited conversations about the past and about what the future could hold for the DCFG. There were mini “Ted-talks” during our meal times which were inspiring opportunities to learn what so many individuals have been creating in their communities and countries. Scott Swimmer left me with an image of ripples intersecting with the numerous other ripples across the water of this planet as what we offer to our communities through facilitated community drum circles have an incredible impact on the participants and in turn their families, workplaces, and social circles that they are connected to. John Hayden treated us to his fairtrade Sun, Moon, and Star drum and how this creation can allow for connection between individuals and groups. The late night circles led to opportunities for connection and play with friends, new and old. Overall, I found this conference to be filled with heart-centered opportunities to connect, share, and grow. I feel less alone knowing there is a vast network of people sharing this beautiful tool with their communities. Each creating beautiful ripples that will eventually converge with all of the other circles creating ripples with intentions of surrounding the world with caring, healing, and joy.
Sara Neufeld”