SCVi, iLEAD’s founding school, is overwhelmed with gratitude for the generous donation they will be receiving directly from Remo Belli himself on Tuesday, January 20. The gift of 30 drums will be presented to learners; to upper school director, Matt Watson; and to school founder, Amber Raskin, at its Santa Clarita location beginning at 9:30 a.m. Following the presentation, two learners from the iLEAD ambassadors program will guide Remo on a tour of facility.
“SCVi & iLEAD Charter Schools are looking forward to the many ways drumming will enhance educational experiences for learners.” Said founder and Co-Executive Director, Amber Raskin, “Studies have shown that rhythm in the classroom can help facilitate the connections learners make in mathematics, language arts, and other subjects. iLEAD and SCVi Charter Schools are always looking for ways to enhance the learners experience. “The school is looking forward to the many ways drumming will add to the classroom setting.” said Raskin “But equally, if not more important to SCVi and iLEAD Charter Schools, is the benefit of developing leadership and social emotional growth of learners while in a drum circle and using instruments.”
Innovation through rhythm and music is nothing new to Remo. Founded in 1957 Remo, Inc. has been on the cutting edge of creating instruments that outpace the environmental, technical and musical advantages of other percussion instruments. An extension of Remo’s commitment to improving the quality of life through music, the company has developed HealthRHYTHMS, a method of using rhythm to foster growth in creative expression, reduce stress and improve mood in people of all ages. iLEAD schools will be training staff to facilitate the evidence-based HealthRHYTHMS program in the coming months.
Learners taking part in SCVi’s sensory integration program have already benefitted from the use of the NSL drum table. Equipped with a 40 inch drumhead the NSL drum, made with Comfort Sound Technology is designed to create a quality of sound that is beautiful and comfortable, even for people with sensitivity to sound. The teacher’s voice can be easily heard while the drum is played by a group of learners sitting around the drum table and the controlled movement of the head facilitates rhythmic entrainment. It has become a favorite of the learners in SCVi’s sensory integration program.
“With the addition of 30 more hand held drums we look forward to integrating drumming into classes and groups across all of the K-12 grade levels. This will surely add to our learners’ growth in academics and leadership,” said upper school director Matt Watson.
To find out more about the HealthRHYTHMS program go to www.remo.com/health. To learn more about SCVi and iLEAD schools go to www.ileadschools.org.