MUSIC FOR PEOPLE FACILITATOR TRAINING
Drum Circle Facilitators Guild – Pre-Conference 2027

Beyond the Groove — Expanding the Circle

40 Years of Music for People

For 40 years, Music for People has offered experiential workshops, seminars and trainings in improvisation, musicianship, deep listening, creativity and facilitation. Its welcoming approach is grounded in the belief that we are all full of music and that meaningful music-making is available to everyone—regardless of background, training or experience.

You know how to build a groove. What happens next?

Take your facilitation beyond the drum circle and open the door to a whole world of spontaneous music-making. Music for People (MfP) brings together rhythm, melody, voice, movement and instruments of every kind to create accessible, engaging musical experiences where everyone can participate. Drums and percussion are part of the experience—but they’re only the beginning.

Bring a drum. Bring your guitar, flute, ukulele, violin, keyboard, saxophone, handpan, recorder—or simply bring your voice and your body. The Music for People approach invites all of these possibilities into the same creative musical space.

During this highly experiential 2½-day training led by Mary Knysh, participants will explore how to help people move naturally from groove to musical conversation, from listening to improvising, and from participating to creating together.

Expanding the Circle

For experienced drum circle facilitators, the invitation is to build on what they already know. How can a groove become a melody? How can voices, movement and melodic instruments enter naturally? How can we create enough structure for people to feel safe and enough freedom for something unexpected to emerge?

Who Is This For

Designed especially for drum circle facilitators, music educators, community musicians, teaching artists, therapists and others who use music to bring people together. No particular melodic instrument skill is required. Come ready to listen, play, explore and create.

Schedule & Registration

• Tuesday, February 23 — Full training day; lunch included
• Wednesday, February 24 — Full training day; lunch included
• Thursday, February 25 — Morning session, 9 AM – 12 PM
• Thursday, February 25 — OPTIONAL Afternoon Workshop with Jane Bentley, 2 PM – 6 PM
  Participants in the full 2½-day Music for People Facilitator Training receive a special $30 rate for Jane’s Thursday afternoon session.

Early Bird Registration:

$395 for MfP Facilitator Training – Includes the full 2½-day Music for People training and two lunches
$425 for MfP Facilitator Training and Jane Bentley Workshop

Regular Registration:

$425 for MfP Facilitator Training – Includes the full 2½-day Music for People training and two lunches
$455 for MfP Facilitator Training and Jane Bentley Workshop

DCFG Board Members: To register, contact the Music for People office – email mfp@musicforpeople.org or call (860) 491-3763.