Choose between hundreds of percussion instruments from around the world and participate in an energetic and serene start to your day. No experience necessary & all ages welcome to participate in a structured family drumming experience.

We welcome you and your family, please bear in mind the experience we are trying to create. We have plenty of drums here to play, however, feel free to bring your own if you wish. We recommend bringing something to sit on due to limited seats.

About the facilitator:

Rick Bausman was three years old when his parents, out of self-defense, bought him his first set of drums. “They were tired of listening to me beat on the dishes, pots and pans,” he says, chuckling at the memory. Today, he is busy drumming up support for his unique nonprofit organization, The Rhythm of Life, formerly known as The Drum Workshop I.N.C. and founed in 1986.

He recognises the therapeutic and educational aspects of ensemble drumming. In 1986, he founded The Drum Workshop I.N.C. which is now known as The Rhythm of Life. The newly constructed Milokan Cultural Center - located at the Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chillmark, MA and open beginning in July of 2022.

The organization offers a wide range of ensemble drumming programs for pre-school, elementary and high school students, people with disabilities, the elderly, and other populations with special needs. Designing programming to fit the specific needs of different groups, he uses his knowledge base, primarily of Hatian drumming, and shares these teachings on Martha’s Vineyard (USA), various regions in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean - especially Haiti.

Honoigi (ceremonial drummer in the hatian spiritual traditions) Rick Bausman - performed and taught regionally and internationally. Rick is the Director of the Milokan cultural center located at the Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chillmark, MA and open beginning in July of 2022 and cultural ambassador for the Hatian National Confederation of Vodouisant (KNVA). The Milokan cultural center is a collaboration between organisations KNVA and the Rhythm of Life. The Martha’s Vineyard Location (at Native Earth Teaching Farm in Chillmark, MA) is opening in July 2022 simultaneously with their counterpart in Haiti near the southern city of Les Cayes. 

According to Bausman, the Haitian musical culture has provided him with endless inspiration and knowledge, and he wouldn’t be the same artist without those influences. “I wouldn’t be able to offer what I offer to the Island community if it weren’t for my friends and my connections in Haiti, and the amazing music,” Bausman said.