top of page
VMC Global Japan ™
Drum Circle Facilitator Training Institute
Experiences in Basic training
After the basic training
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Possibility of drum circle
I have received basic training in Nagoya in 2020. I had known about the existence of drum circles for some time, but when I took a one-day play shop course in college, I thought that it would be a source of food for me, so I took the course. There are many things that I actually felt after receiving it, but there are two big things. One is･･･read more
Issei Uchida
Lives in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
challenge
I didn't know anything about "drum circles" until I participated in this event. "What is a drum circle?" There were various kinds of drums in the room, and everyone started playing one after another. i am honest･･･read more
Moeka Hirata
Lives in Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture
3 days when I found my new self
Tom Tom Thank you for your guidance on the drum circle.
Thank you to everyone who participated together and for sharing a good time.
At the drum circle this time, the facilitator's turn is ... Read more
Kyoko Kato
Lives in Ama District, Aichi Prefecture
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
Attended for the first time in 15 years
It was the second time I attended the course after 15 years. Last time, I felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment and nervousness.
50 pages of Japanese text were introduced for the first time,･･･read more
Sanae Kawasaki
Lives in Sapporo, Hokkaido
People and sounds connected by rhythm
Early in the new year of 2022, I attended the basic training held for 3 days at Nagoya College of Music.
Actually, I started from 0 without even knowledge or experience of drum circ.
As soon as we arrived at the venue, the sound of the drums guided us in and invited us in, and when we started playing along with everyone there, it felt nostalgic.･･･read more
Masumi Matsumoto
Lives in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Recollection ...
Playshop Japan 2017
At Playshop Japan 2017 held in Omishima in 2017, I first encountered the theory of drum circle facilitation advocated by Arthur Hull. From the strength of that impression, as a basis for thinking about the facilitator and the progress process of the drum circle ... Read more
Toshiyuki Abe
Lives in Tokyo
The drum circle world
What a cozy and warm atmosphere...
This was my first impression of the basic training I attended for the first time.
Everyone shines with a smile, everyone is respected, and no one is left behind.
This was the world I dreamed of!
If everyone in the world thought like this, everyone would be happier.
We often hear about "coexistence society" these days. Regardless of whether you have a disability or not, everyone helps each other and lives together...the drum circle is the embodiment of that idea. Musical experience, age, nationality, and disability are not important. What a wonderful society! There is a mysterious sense of unity even though we are all just playing drums in a circle!
Although this is a lot of fun as a participant, it becomes quite deep and difficult when it comes to facilitating it.
The training was so much fun, and I was completely focused on every move my teammates made as they jumped in.
I was moved by TomTom's beautiful, simple and emotive body language.
When it's time to jump in, my mind goes blank! But everyone is smiling and telling me it's okay even if I fail!
Although I'm so busy with my own things that I don't notice anything else, I have a strong desire to spread the worldview of this drum circle to the world!
2024 Yuka Kokubu / Music therapist living in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
西岡恵津子
The drum circle world
What a cozy and warm atmosphere...
This was my first impression of the basic training I attended for the first time.
Everyone shines with a smile, everyone is respected, and no one is left behind.
This was the world I dreamed of!
If everyone in the world thought like this, everyone would be happier.
We often hear about "coexistence society" these days. Regardless of whether you have a disability or not, everyone helps each other and lives together...the drum circle is the embodiment of that idea. Musical experience, age, nationality, and disability are not important. What a wonderful society! There is a mysterious sense of unity even though we are all just playing drums in a circle!
Although this is a lot of fun as a participant, it becomes quite deep and difficult when it comes to facilitating it.
The training was so much fun, and I was completely focused on every move my teammates made as they jumped in.
I was moved by TomTom's beautiful, simple and emotive body language.
When it's time to jump in, my mind goes blank! But everyone is smiling and telling me it's okay even if I fail!
Although I'm so busy with my own things that I don't notice anything else, I have a strong desire to spread the worldview of this drum circle to the world!
2024 Yuka Kokubu / Music therapist living in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
佐々木風香
佐藤愛
The drum circle world
What a cozy and warm atmosphere...
This was my first impression of the basic training I attended for the first time.
Everyone shines with a smile, everyone is respected, and no one is left behind.
This was the world I dreamed of!
If everyone in the world thought like this, everyone would be happier.
We often hear about "coexistence society" these days. Regardless of whether you have a disability or not, everyone helps each other and lives together...the drum circle is the embodiment of that idea. Musical experience, age, nationality, and disability are not important. What a wonderful society! There is a mysterious sense of unity even though we are all just playing drums in a circle!
Although this is a lot of fun as a participant, it becomes quite deep and difficult when it comes to facilitating it.
The training was so much fun, and I was completely focused on every move my teammates made as they jumped in.
I was moved by TomTom's beautiful, simple and emotive body language.
When it's time to jump in, my mind goes blank! But everyone is smiling and telling me it's okay even if I fail!
Although I'm so busy with my own things that I don't notice anything else, I have a strong desire to spread the worldview of this drum circle to the world!
2024 Yuka Kokubu / Music therapist living in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
©VMC Global Japan
©VMC Global Japan
The drum circle world
What a cozy and warm atmosphere...
This was my first impression of the basic training I attended for the first time.
Everyone shines with a smile, everyone is respected, and no one is left behind.
This was the world I dreamed of!
If everyone in the world thought like this, everyone would be happier.
We often hear about "coexistence society" these days. Regardless of whether you have a disability or not, everyone helps each other and lives together...the drum circle is the embodiment of that idea. Musical experience, age, nationality, and disability are not important. What a wonderful society! There is a mysterious sense of unity even though we are all just playing drums in a circle!
Although this is a lot of fun as a participant, it becomes quite deep and difficult when it comes to facilitating it.
The training was so much fun, and I was completely focused on every move my teammates made as they jumped in.
I was moved by TomTom's beautiful, simple and emotive body language.
When it's time to jump in, my mind goes blank! But everyone is smiling and telling me it's okay even if I fail!
Although I'm so busy with my own things that I don't notice anything else, I have a strong desire to spread the worldview of this drum circle to the world!
2024 Yuka Kokubu / Music therapist living in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
沼畑理恵
©VMC Global Japan
國分由佳
©VMC Global Japan
The drum circle world
What a cozy and warm atmosphere...
This was my first impression of the basic training I attended for the first time.
Everyone shines with a smile, everyone is respected, and no one is left behind.
This was the world I dreamed of!
If everyone in the world thought like this, everyone would be happier.
We often hear about "coexistence society" these days. Regardless of whether you have a disability or not, everyone helps each other and lives together...the drum circle is the embodiment of that idea. Musical experience, age, nationality, and disability are not important. What a wonderful society! There is a mysterious sense of unity even though we are all just playing drums in a circle!
Although this is a lot of fun as a participant, it becomes quite deep and difficult when it comes to facilitating it.
The training was so much fun, and I was completely focused on every move my teammates made as they jumped in.
I was moved by TomTom's beautiful, simple and emotive body language.
When it's time to jump in, my mind goes blank! But everyone is smiling and telling me it's okay even if I fail!
Although I'm so busy with my own things that I don't notice anything else, I have a strong desire to spread the worldview of this drum circle to the world!
2024 Yuka Kokubu / Music therapist living in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
鈴木愛梨
As many times as you like
This was my third time taking the basic training course. The first time I took it, I was overwhelmed with information and could barely understand it. I just enjoyed feeling the music that everyone was making in the middle of the circle! That was all.
You can take VMC's training as many times as you like. And you learn a lot every time you take it. In this training, things that I had only vaguely understood before were easily absorbed into my body through TomTom's explanations and practice. The topic of "the tip of the iceberg" always comes up in the training. In this training, I felt like I was able to peek a little below the tip of the iceberg. There are still many things I don't understand, and I'm sure there are many things I haven't realized I don't understand. Even so, when I was able to understand things more easily than before and realized there were things I was wondering about, I felt happy, thinking that perhaps I was deepening my learning.
"It's such a joy to be able to recognize your own growth."
This is the biggest lesson I learned this time.
Don't just understand with words, feel and understand with your body.
I think it's a privilege for repeat customers to be able to do this.
2024 Airi Suzuki / Instructor at after-school day care center in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture
©VMC Global Japan
小松尚子
My heart begins to move
Before participating in this training, I had never participated in a drum circle or played any percussion instruments. However, I was looking for something new to do after retirement. So I applied for the three-day training, believing that it was okay for beginners.
When I entered the venue, there were drums of various sizes and shapes. It was my first time participating in a drum circle, so everything was new to me. I was worried about how it would start, which drum I would hit, when, how, and how... I still vividly remember sitting on the chair timidly. At that time, I was still desperately thinking about how to hit it correctly. In short, my mind and body were stiff. However, strangely enough, when the people around me started to hit the rhythm of their own accord, and the tom-tom raised his hand with a smile, I somehow found myself naturally joining in the rhythm... my heart really started to move naturally. It was like magic. And by the time the first drum call ended, I had a strong feeling that "I don't know what's going on, but it feels good."
Each exercise was fun and creative, and it was a warm and happy feeling to be there. Tom Tom's lecture was easy to understand, and I was able to take the class with ease, as I was able to fully understand what I was going to do and what I was going to learn. It was a fun and warm time and space, and it was hard to believe that I had been so nervous. I was repeatedly encouraged by the words "There's no way you can make a mistake," and I tried facilitating with my younger colleagues. Even though we were all trying the same thing, each of us brought out our own individuality and made a special sound. This was also moving.
One of the unforgettable experiences was Late Night. Partway through, the deep sound of the double bass started to play the bass rhythm...even though there was no instrument there! I was truly surprised to learn later that different people hear different instruments and melodies. It was an experience that could only be had at that moment.
Age, language, and disability don't matter. Experienced or beginner. We gather, form a circle, and create music by beating the drums with one mind. Everyone there connects and smiles. It's really like magic. Ah, I'm glad I participated. I'm starting to think about how I can use this experience in my life.
2023 Naoko Komatsu / Living in Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture
©VMC Global Japan
持田佳代子
The words that changed my perspective
©VMC Global Japan
©VMC Global Japan
The training had already started the moment I applied. I had homework to do.
Homework became a time for me to face myself. And that was hard.
With a slight feeling of regret, the three-day training session, which combined lectures and practical training, began.
It was my first time standing in the middle of a drum circle.
Eyes, eyes, eyes, eyes...surrounded by lots of eyes.
When you're faced with so many eyes on all sides, you feel like you don't know where to go.
I felt uncomfortable. What should I do?
The words that reached me were, "There is no such thing as failure."
Ah·····.
The scenery has changed.
There is only learning, so there is no failure.
We were all facing the same direction. So that's what it means, we are the friends who create today's sound and rhythm.
All I do in the middle of the circle is give a cue like a drop of water that creates ripples.
Just that alone starts a conversation of sounds. "There is no such thing as failure." Those words changed my perspective.
I had many experiences during training. The rhythm felt like a living thing.
I could hear small sounds and see them flying in parabolic arcs.
I heard the rhythm begin to play a melody.
My usually dormant sensory organs were stimulated and it was an intense three days that made me feel like I was in another world.
And the phrase "there is no failure" was the biggest lesson I learned that applies to my everyday life.
I started off struggling with my homework, but finished feeling refreshed.
There were so many things I wanted to do going through my mind.
2023 Kayoko Mochida / Living in Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture
company employee
Possibility of drum circle
河野恭磨
©VMC Global Japan
I have received basic training in Nagoya in 2020. I knew the existence of drum circles for a long time, but when I took a one-day playshop in a university course, I thought it would be a source of my own food. There are many things that I actually received and felt, but there are two major ones. One is the importance and difficulty of managing and advancing the community (drum circle) by any person and in accordance with the community. I learned a lot about what kind of signs to put out in a place where a wide variety of people gather to facilitate the ensemble. The second, in connection with the first, is the importance of connections other than music. Through the training and practice, I was convinced that the drum circle is a music "education" and a tool to grow sociality and communication. As a facilitator, I have just begun to climb the mountain, but I would like to gain experience in various places and spread this circle with many people.
Kazuaki Uchida / Lives in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture
Occupation: Graduate School of Instrumental Music, Nagoya Music University
©VMC Global Japan
Possibility of drum circle
I have received basic training in Nagoya in 2020. I knew the existence of drum circles for a long time, but when I took a one-day playshop in a university course, I thought it would be a source of my own food. There are many things that I actually received and felt, but there are two major ones. One is the importance and difficulty of managing and advancing the community (drum circle) by any person and in accordance with the community. I learned a lot about what kind of signs to put out in a place where a wide variety of people gather to facilitate the ensemble. The second, in connection with the first, is the importance of connections other than music. Through the training and practice, I was convinced that the drum circle is a music "education" and a tool to grow sociality and communication. As a facilitator, I have just begun to climb the mountain, but I would like to gain experience in various places and spread this circle with many people.
河崎さなえ
Kazuaki Uchida / Lives in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture
Occupation: Graduate School of Instrumental Music, Nagoya Music University
平田萌香
©VMC Global Japan
Possibility of drum circle
I have received basic training in Nagoya in 2020. I knew the existence of drum circles for a long time, but when I took a one-day playshop in a university course, I thought it would be a source of my own food. There are many things that I actually received and felt, but there are two major ones. One is the importance and difficulty of managing and advancing the community (drum circle) by any person and in accordance with the community. I learned a lot about what kind of signs to put out in a place where a wide variety of people gather to facilitate the ensemble. The second, in connection with the first, is the importance of connections other than music. Through the training and practice, I was convinced that the drum circle is a music "education" and a tool to grow sociality and communication. As a facilitator, I have just begun to climb the mountain, but I would like to gain experience in various places and spread this circle with many people.
2022
Moeka Hirata / Lives in Kyotanabe City, Kyoto Prefecture
Department of Music, Doshisha Women's University
松本真寿美
Possibility of drum circle
©VMC Global Japan
I have received basic training in Nagoya in 2020. I knew the existence of drum circles for a long time, but when I took a one-day playshop in a university course, I thought it would be a source of my own food. There are many things that I actually received and felt, but there are two major ones. One is the importance and difficulty of managing and advancing the community (drum circle) by any person and in accordance with the community. I learned a lot about what kind of signs to put out in a place where a wide variety of people gather to facilitate the ensemble. The second, in connection with the first, is the importance of connections other than music. Through the training and practice, I was convinced that the drum circle is a music "education" and a tool to grow sociality and communication. As a facilitator, I have just begun to climb the mountain, but I would like to gain experience in various places and spread this circle with many people.
2022
Masumi Matsumoto / Lives in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Occupation: Music therapist
内田
3 days when I found my new self
Tom Tom Thank you for your guidance on the drum circle.
Thank you to everyone who participated together and for sharing a good time.
At the drum circle this time, I was scared that the facilitator's turn would come around at first. Because the beats are always off, I was worried that I could give instructions because I didn't have myself in the rhythm. However, when I stood in the middle and looked at the smiling faces of the group, I felt a sense of security as if they were pushing me back, saying, "It's okay, so please do it." Tom Tom said, "There is no failure." I felt the joy of being forgiven whether I could do it or make a mistake. Especially, every time I repeat it, the group becomes one, and every time the facilitator comes forward, "What? What do you want to do?"
It seems that they are talking to each other with their hearts, and at the end there is a sense of unity that they know what to do next, even if everyone can not follow the instructions, they laugh, learn, learn everything. .. I felt reassured and confident in myself. Finally, when I continued to hit the drums involuntarily around the bonfire in the center, I felt the sound of an instrument that was in sync with my rhythm from somewhere, and as I changed, it became a constant like my life. I received a strong message that "everyone is different, everyone is good", feeling various roles in the relationship between people and still playing a big rhythm as a whole. When I finished, I felt that my anxiety about playing when I was standing in front of people had eased a little.
Kyoko Kato / Lives in Ama District , Aichi Prefecture
Occupation: Nurse
加藤
Recollection ... Playshop Japan 2017
At Playshop Japan 2017 held in Omishima in 2017, I first encountered the theory of drum circle facilitation advocated by Arthur Hull. Because of the strength of that impression, this theory is deeply rooted in my heart as a basis for thinking about what a facilitator should be and how the drum circle progresses. At Playshop Japan 2017, where I participated, lectures and training based on this theory were conducted under the guidance of Arthur Hull himself. The three days at Omishima have a big meaning for me, and I feel that they are a turning point in my life.
For me, who participated in the drum circle only once in the past and felt only the fun, it made me feel that the depth and breadth of the cosmic scale are hidden, and at the same time, I easily became a facilitator. It was also a workshop that made me, who was trying to do it, rigorously recognize the distance. I had to admit that my personality was farthest from the facilitator's ideals. While the other participants are making attractive jump-ins, only I am awkward with a hard expression, and I am cueing with a clumsy body language regardless of pretending to be ... Looking at the pictures at that time, that time I feel like I want to delete all of them at once. It reminds me that I was very depressed when I first witnessed the feeling that I was left alone and the life-sized myself that I had not noticed before. However, when the whole schedule is over, I can't forget the strong desire to get closer to the essence of the drum circle as much as possible on the Shinkansen returning to Tokyo. Mysterious and quick to give up no matter what I do, I am still on the distant path.
During the playshop period, I could hardly establish relationships with other participants, and I have been living inward-oriented days with my childhood habits. However, taking this opportunity, I was able to get to know and interact with so many people. It's amazing. I am grateful to all the people who are serious about the drum circle for their warm and valuable advice and suggestions. This is also a great power that the drum circle brings.
Through the drum circle, participants will enjoy the charm of sharing and empathy while harmonizing their individual personalities, and eventually form a groove as an organism ... and the community will emerge, the community It's not exclusive, it's something that recognizes diversity ... I don't know if it will take decades to come, but I'd like to continue to move forward with the aim of becoming a personality that can help. ..
Toshiyuki Abe / Lives in Tokyo
Occupation: Komazawa Women's Junior College Childcare Department Full-time Teacher
阿部
Possibility of drum circle
I have received basic training in Nagoya in 2020. I knew the existence of drum circles for a long time, but when I took a one-day playshop in a university course, I thought it would be a source of my own food. There are many things that I actually received and felt, but there are two major ones. One is the importance and difficulty of managing and advancing the community (drum circle) by any person and in accordance with the community. I learned a lot about what kind of signs to put out in a place where a wide variety of people gather to facilitate the ensemble. The second, in connection with the first, is the importance of connections other than music. Through the training and practice, I was convinced that the drum circle is a music "education" and a tool to grow sociality and communication. As a facilitator, I have just begun to climb the mountain, but I would like to gain experience in various places and spread this circle with many people.
2020
Issei Uchida / Lives in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture
Graduate School of Instrumental Music, Nagoya College of Music
©VMC Global Japan
bottom of page