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David Boardman
Percussionist, Teacher, Handbell Director
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Country of Residence:
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Education: Bachelor of Music Education, Florida State University School of Music
Populations Served: Children and adults with serious illnesses and other physical,
emotional and life challenges, at Camp Twin Lakes (near Atlanta, Georgia)
Camp Twin Lakes
Affiliations: Percussive Arts Society, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers
Special HealthRHYTHMS Moment:
At Camp Twin Lakes, kids experience transformations through HealthRHYTHMS on a daily basis.
Sometimes it takes a while to see the results.
It’s not unusual for kids to bunk with the same cabin mates every summer. The campers form
tight-knit groups and grow up together. All year long they look forward to reuniting with
their friends at camp.
One particular cabin of girls stands out. They had been together a couple of summers before
I met them, and it was obvious how much they cared for each other.
In our first HealthRHYTHMS session, the girls were having a grand time laughing, drumming
and dancing. All except one. She sat in the circle with a sort of blank look on her face,
staring off into space. She couldn’t speak, and she didn’t seem interested in what was going on.
An adult caregiver was gently encouraging her to participate, but she never did.
The next summer she sat quietly again, staring off for a while. Then she reached for a Sound Shape
and randomly poked at it. She put it down and, once again, seemed to lose interest.
This past summer she started out much the same, yet didn’t mind when a djembe was placed
in front of her. Although she didn’t play, her attention was towards the circle. After the group
drummed a while, we did some call and response. Someone would play a rhythm, and we’d go around
the circle and everyone would individually repeat the rhythm.
When it came to her spot in the circle, she suddenly let loose and played the rhythm note for note.
The entire circle erupted in thunderous cheering, clapping and congratulations. This went on for
several minutes, and was repeated every time she played!
At the end of the session, she smiled. She always needed another’s arm to lean on to steady herself
while walking around camp. That day she was standing a little straighter and moving a little easier.
She was radiant!
Recent Press:
I <3 Rhythm
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