John Lacques, Founder Of Drumtime, Determined To Empower With Facilitated Drum Circles

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Drumtime founder John Lacques stopped by KCAL9 Sunday morning to talk about the power of a playing a beat.

Lacques has run the rhythm-based program for 11 years, working with at-risk youth, people with special needs and the elderly.

“Everyone can bang on something, do a shaker or play a bell… It’s very intrinsic in our nature to play drums,” he said, adding that his facilitated drum circles are meant to “empower people to feel their true nature.”

Lacques admitted some people have “trepidation,” but he’s found over the years drumming can help even his most straight-laced clients let loose.

“It’s hard with adults. Kids are like, ‘Yes! Let’s do this.’ Adults, some really want to do it and others are like, ‘Uh, I don’t know about this.’ But by the end of it, the guy’s taking off his tie and leading the conga line around the conference room,” he said.

For more information about Drumtime, visit the organization’s website.