Your Instructors:

You won’t want to miss this one, truly! You will have the benefit of learning from and being supported by two Masters-Level Integrated Community Drum Circle Facilitators!  The grounded wisdom, knowledge, and experience of Judy Atkinson, Founder of Circles of Rhythm and Author the Drum Code, and the passionate visionary, Julien Lepage, are sure to keep you engaged throughout the 3-Day weekend. They will be joined by a number of guest speakers, teachers, indigenous elders, and sound healing facilitators. This dynamic team will leave you with your head spinning (in all the right ways) and your heart on-FIRE! Surely, some of you will be rushing to get into facilitating your first-ever ICDC in hopes of getting your hours in in preparation for your Level-II training!

Julien Lepage, MSW Leadership, RSW,  Masters in Social Worker Leadership, Mental Health Professional, and Masters-level ICDC facilitator – is a full-time psychotherapist at the Newly Institute, the Founder of AHS’s Rhythm Project, and the expedient of the Newly Institute’s Trauma-Sensitive Drumming program****. Lepage leads his life seeking to be of service to others with the intent to inspire others to “find their authentic rhythm”. Julien has been supporting adults who experience life with severe and persistent mental illness and/or addiction since 2009, consistently innovating trauma-informed initiatives inside and outside of the clinical setting. He is the proud owner of Circles of Rhythm, father of 3 incredible souls, and an authentic leader who inspires others in their own transformational process through the conscious evolution of the human spirit.

Patrick Carrick is a professional percussion musician and certified drum circle facilitator with a passion for sharing music & positivity. In 2017 he founded the organization Columbia Valley Drumming, under the mentorship of ‘Circles of Rhythm‘ and has been sending good vibrations up and down the mountains of British Columbia with regular drum circle events, for all occasions. Patrick offers an energetic yet grounding experience and always brings his inspiring energy, in the pursuit of making his participants feel empowered and rejuvenated. 

“Group drumming is not about how to play the drum… It’s about how you feel when you drum”

Judy Atkinson, MEd, Master ICDC Facilitator, Founder Circles of Rhythm & Author of the Drum Code. Judy, otherwise knows as the “Messenger of JOY”, was named the “Woman of Vision” by Global TV and the Calgary Herald and the recipient of the “Inspiring Calgarian Award” on CTV. Over the years, Atkinson has been recognized for her work using the ICDC to inspire others in expressing their unique gifts and passion within their chosen work.  Now retired, Judy Atkinson is enjoying a peaceful life of quiet service, reaping the rewards of many years of hard and Joyful work while also sitting on the Board of Directors as the President of the Circles of Rhythm Foundation. “Shifting from Role to Soul is my new work at this stage of life. Gratitude and compassion are the focus, peace of mind is the result.” Judy Atkinson.

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