Taiko Drumming for People living with Parkinsons

It all started when…

Drumming has long been a part of traditional healing rituals worldwide and is increasingly being utilized as a modality not only for improving movement, but vocalization and socialization.  In speaking with the local Parkinson’s organization (EASE PD) in Santa Cruz County, we learned they do not have a drumming circle and were very interested in having NextStage Productions create this form of physical and emotional therapy.  This aligned with NextStage’s mission to engage, educate and enrich lives through creative arts experiences and wellness initiatives.  The need was there to find modalities to decrease the severity of common motor and non-motor symptoms such as slowness of movement, stiffness, rigidity, anxiety, depression and cognitive decline – and thus the NextStage Productions-Watsonville Taiko program for People Living with Parkinson’s (PwP) was born in 2018 through a collaboration with EASE PD (Exercise, Activity, Support and Education Programs) and Watsonville Taiko.  

We started with a pilot class of ten for 8 weekly classes to determine interest and need.  The class filled quickly with a waitlist, and off we went.  It turned out to be a wonderful success with the movement generated through the Taiko drumming program leading to motor skill and cognitive improvement as reported by members.  As importantly, we saw an increased joy from our drummers and a real sense of achievement and community was built.  People who seldom left the house were showing up each week.  Socializing increased, pride increased, and a sense of self-esteem was created through the shared experience and success in mastering the program.

We now have 4 class sessions a year.  Each class consists of 8 sessions, once a week, for one hour, plus a recital the ninth week for friends and family.

Through support from the Parkinson’s Foundation, Omega Nu, St. John’s Helpful Shop, EASE PD, and wonderful donors like Harriet Mainis, classes are free to the students, and anyone living with Parkinson’s is invited to participate. For information or a request to join, please get in touch with Julie Lorraine at EASE PD/Santa Cruz Parkinson’s Foundation and/or Risa Lower at risa@nextstagesantacruz.org, or by leaving a message at 408-357-0640.

For your enjoyment, please look at the pictures of some of our students.  See the hard work; see the happiness, and see how this program has grown to be a source of joy and pride not just for PwP, but NextStage, Watsonville Taiko and EASE PD.

This program is funded with grants and your generous donations.  To make a donation, either mail your tax-deductible contribution to NextStage Productions, P.O. Box 1955, Capitola, CA 95010 and indicate that you wish the donation to be earmarked for the Parkinson’s project.  100% of these donations are used for the program.  All teachers and assistants work on a voluntary basis, so your generosity goes exactly where you intend it – to help improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s.

See (and hear) our Parkinson’s project in action on YouTube >>

Read the article on Taiko Drumming for People with Parkinsons in the Aptos Times

Special thank you to donor Harriet Maines