The BUSINESS of DRUMMING in BUSINESS

Business Development for Rhythm Event Facilitators

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Are you a rhythm event or drum circle facilitator (DCF) who is ready to take the next step on the business side of this work?

◉ Do you have ideas for higher-level offerings for businesses and organizations, but aren’t sure how to get them out there?

◉ Do you already work with groups in education, health & wellness, social services, or community settings, and think about offering rhythm programs for team building, meeting groups, and the like?

◉ Are you looking for where to start to approach the daunting world of “corporate” clients?

And daunting it can be. If you sense that “the rules are different” for drumming in organizational settings, you’re right. That’s because

It’s not about drumming. It’s about business results.

This fact changes lots of things. It’s important to understand and plan for the different dynamics, expectations, and pitfalls present in organizational settings, so you don’t either lose the gig, or have your session “not work” quite as well as you’d hoped.

Let me help you find your direction. “The Business of Drumming in Business” course will help you

  • assess your best approach to the business world
  • design programs that fill client needs, and
  • deliver effective programs that make an impact.

What’s included in The Business of Drumming in Self-Study Video Course:

  1. 10 content modules of 1 or 2 videos each, ranging from 5 to 23 minutes each. (Lifetime access.)
  2. Pre- and post-session worksheets resulting in your own Business Go Plan that lays out WHAT you’re offering, WHY it matters, for WHOM, and HOW to reach those people
  3. Regular email prompts that help you identify your next practical step so you make steady progress
  4. 60 minutes of coaching with me about applying ideas to your business and program (in 1 or more sessions)
  5. Members-only Facebook group where we share stories, ask questions, brainstorm, and celebrate progress
  6. Special rate for further consulting sessions (e.g. help to propose or plan your next “big gig”)

In this business development course, you will learn:

  • The key factors you must remember to successfully serve organizational clients
  • The wide variety in the business ecosystem (kinds of groups, purposes, formats, third parties) — and which feel most natural for you to serve
  • From initial client contact to the end of the gig, how to design and deliver a program that meets the client’s business objectives, and gives participants a great time
  • How to describe and market your offerings through clear language that your target clients want to hear

What previous BDIB Participants have said:

“It’s been like college for a new DCF!” — Nathan Foli

I can tell you this information will save you hours of work and problem solving. I only wish I had access to someone with such knowledge when I was starting out! — Paul Houle

THANK YOU for such an educational and inspiring course. These sessions clarified the content I was already using and introduced me to powerful tools for developing new drumming programs for business clientele. One of the best professional development opportunities I have ever had the pleasure of participating in. — Cameron Tummel

Since taking your course I’ve seen significant growth in my business and personal confidence with corporate clients. — Nicole Williams

Thank you so much for the most EXCELLENT course. So detailed, informative and empowering. — Donna Smith

Mary, you were a superb personal coach for me with that major corporate gig I had this past summer. It has become the backbone of the deepening of my path towards more business gigs . — Otha Day

Thank you for providing such an awesome course. I do business development consulting for a living, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning and seeing this world from the “biz of biz of drumming” perspective . — Deborah Payton



Your Instructor


Mary Tolena
Mary Tolena

Contact via: [email protected], FB, or 619-307-1003 cell & WhatsApp

Designing experiential learning programs for adults has been “my thing” for over 20 years. I’ve been gratified to set the stage for life-changing shifts for thousands of participants in academic, corporate, personal growth, and drumming groups.

My life before drum circles was in the business world, where I learned a lot, but which ultimately led me to a soul-crushing dead end.

Luckily, I discovered drum circles. I was astounded at the depth of experience, learning, and transformative potential of group drumming. I’ve been enthralled and immersed ever since.

I am part of the world-wide community of drum circle facilitators (DCFs) whose “hub” was created by the work of Arthur Hull. Arthur’s teachings, travels, dedicated rhythm evangelism, and focus on community building has built a powerful network of “rhythm practitioners” serving groups of all kinds.

I have been fortunate to meet, visit, and work with hundreds of practicing DCFs at various trainings, conferences, and on my “Drumabout” travels. Long fascinated by how people come to this work from such wildly different fields, I’ve tracked “what works” as colleagues develop their DCF businesses and careers.

Over the years, I have helped design programs for Drum Circle Facilitators Guild conferences and Arthur Hull / Village Music Circles.

My DCF business is RhythmLift, based in San Diego. I am also a creative partner with Jú Linares and her DCF business in São Paulo, Brazil, Ritmo Expansão.

And I love helping people help more people drum!


Course Curriculum


  Module 1 - Introduction
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  Module 2: Business and Marketing Overview
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  Module 3: Your "DCF" Personality
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  Module 4: Your Target Clients
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  Module 5: Program Design
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  Module 6: Process and "Productization"
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  Module 7: Art in the Details
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  Module 8: Facilitation Wizardry
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  Module 10: Pricing and Agreements
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  End of course -- Ignore everything below
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  DM0-Welcome email
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  DM1-Module 1 prompt email
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  DM2-Module 2 prompt email
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  DM3-Module 3 email prompt
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  DM4-Module 4 email prompt
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  DM4a-Prompt for 1-1 session after Module 4.
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  DM5-Module 5 email prompt
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  DM5a-Module 5 Supplemental email prompt
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  DM6-Module 6 email prompt
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  DM7-Module 7 email prompt
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  DM8-Module 8 email prompt
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  DM9-Module 9 email prompt
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  DM10-Module 10 email prompt
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!