Testimonials
“I originally hired Matt Price to lead a drum circle event for our Summer Academy with our TRIO Upward Bound students. Matt was very professional, a solid communicator and his teaching style was well received by our students! Matt’s infectious energy made the event one that the students remember as being a highlight of their summer! I then had the brilliant idea to secure Matt for our Pennsylvania TRIO annual conference at the Penn State Toftrees Golf Resort this past October 2022. The team building and camaraderie he built amongst the TRIO professionals during this session was felt throughout the rest of the conference week! Many of the participants spoke about the cathartic experience they had because of Matt and his ability to lead and inspire others. As one of the participants said, “He really puts his “all” into his events.” He is very passionate about his craft and his care for his students really shines through! He works hard to ensure that each participant is comfortable, even if they are not musically inclined and he teaches some wonderful stress reduction techniques and mindfulness skills along with providing a positive, musical experience. Matt is a great instructor, motivator and talented musician, able to relate his teachings to all ages and levels. I would recommend Matt Price Drumming without hesitation!”
Marnie Hall | Councilor & Instructor PA TRIO Upward Bound
“I just wanted to express my appreciation for the magic you created on the memory floor this afternoon. I come to visit my sister and take her for a walk every day so I know that the residents are usually sitting around sleeping or staring into space or slowly wandering around. I have never seen more residents participating in an activity and I have never seen so much enthusiasm or so many smiles. You brought true joy into lives that have so little. You have a gift for what you do and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the happiness and movement you gave my sister and the others.”
Sincerely
Barbara R
“The residents have been so complimentary of the drumming program from yesterday. One of the newer residents who attended for the first time said it made her feel better than any medicine!”
Donna Canovali| Engage Life Director | Atria McCandless
“Our entire staff had the pleasure of working with and learning from Matt at a recent staff retreat and drum circle leadership training. It was an incredible experience. Somehow Matt has a way of making you feel comfortable being completely out of your comfort zone! He equipped us with practical knowledge and helpful tips on how to use drum circles to enhance mindfulness, engage learners, and provide participants a unique opportunity to focus on mental health and wellness.”
Miriam P. | The Jana Marie Foundation | State College, PA
“I’ve attended one of your drum classes with my five-year-old son earlier this year. It was at 3-Dots. I remember you talked to us about courage and consistency. The idea was encouraging to me since I’m new to the area and have been trying to start my own business/class (intuitive eating and High Fitness, an aerobics class). I liked how you gave us opportunities to safety try new things. Like dancing in the middle of the room in front of everyone or coming up with our own beat for the drum. I wasn’t expecting life coaching from a drum class.”
Nicole G. | Owner High Fitness | State College, PA
“I recently attended an outdoor, socially distanced drum circle led by Matt. I really enjoyed the experience!! In addition to the joy of creating a rhythm with others, Matt challenges us by teaching the group new rhythms to learn on our drums. I was able to take some new drum beats home and practice them!
Matt is an excellent teacher, motivates us to want to learn more and have fun!! I look forward to the next drum circle!”
Wendy Helgerman | Drum Circle Participant
“Matt Price conducted a Drum Circle with about 25 State College Area School District school counselors. The affect of the participants at the beginning of the session was somewhat flat with a universal feeling of “I need to get back to work and I need to answer emails”. As the circle grew and our hidden drumming talents came out, the energy in the room instantly changed from flat, to full of laughter and positive energy. The drumming provided a source of strength to the group that gave each person an opportunity to let go of their outside influences and focus on the present. At the conclusion of the session, the grouped buzzed about the opportunity and how to incorporate this unique experience in other aspects of their lives: Student groups, community groups, counseling strategies etc. If you are looking for a fun and unique way to bring a group together and dig them out of an “overwhelmed” state of mind, I highly recommend contacting Matt Price, he is reasonably priced and has a special gift to share. We will be sure to invite Matt back to SCASD.”
Jeanne Knouse | Director of Student Services | State College Area School District | State College, PA
“Everyone was talking about the drum circle yesterday and this morning a few staff were still commenting on how it was a great time. It was amazing to see so many of our residents participating. It really was great fun!
I think it’s great that you are up for trying new things. I love the movement with the boom whackers with the left ,, center,, right…. Your solo was great and it allowed for a little rest and the closing was great with the surf of the ocean. Everyone enjoys following your rhythm and it is a good challenge (even for me)-lots of good things for sure!”
Dana Gregg | Therapeutic Recreation Director | The Village at Penn State | State College, PA
“I especially liked how you scaffolded the lesson. You taught what rhythm is, had students creating rhythm and taking it to the next level when they created a rhythm with one another in a positive immersive environment that you created by your own positivity and by the way you respectfully communicated with your class. You always say please, thank you and you speak with kindness. You model what we expect from our students and they mimic your actions.”
Siobhan Donnelly | Specials Coordinator | Centre Learning Community Charter School | State College, PA
“I want to thank you again for your marvelous leadership of our first drum circle. I knew you would do a good job, but the energy, joy, and drumming was beyond my best imaginings. It was so wonderful to see multiple generations working together. As I came downstairs from the Choir Room, I could hear the energetic drumming and knew instantly the drum circle was a success. We will have to find more occasions to invite you to join us. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Ned Wetherald | Director of Music Ministry | State College Presbyterian Church | State College, PA
“I meant to write you weeks ago to thank you for your amazing leading/directing/processing that brought together folks like myself who may never have had a drumming experience before that day. It truly was immersive in that we obviously were drawn to rhythms that we had never created outside that time together . It was infectious to the point I surely was drawn to beats, counter-beats , and shifts to new rhythms I could not imagine creating before or since then.”
Sandy Macdonald | State College Presbyterian Church