Event Description:  Choose to attend this in-person activity either

December 9, 2025 / 7-8 PM at UNC School of the Arts / 1533 S. Main Street, Winston Salem / UNCSA School of Music Complex, Room 167
December 12, 2025 / 12 -1 PM at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist / WS - Cancer Center - 10B Conf Room 10th FL

A successful drum circle is an experience where everyone is welcome and leaves feeling empowered. Apprehension is always present at the beginning, and the facilitator’s job is to guide the group through the experience so everyone is participating and contributing to the rhythm regardless of how little music experience they may have. Participants will be guided through a hands-on HealthRHYTHMS drum circle by John Beck and analyze what elements of the experience transfer to the healthcare environment.

By participating in this arts-based course learners are expected to improve their communication, empathy, collaboration, and teamwork skills. They will develop a greater sense of cultural humility, enabling them to engage with patients and colleagues in ways that respect cultural, social, and individual differences. The goal of this Arts-Based course is to improve the quality of effective communication, empathy, and teamwork for physicians.

John Beck is the Coordinator for Arts & Health Partnerships at the UNC School of the Arts having recently retired after 25 years as the Professor of Percussion. As the principal percussionist of the Winston-Salem Symphony, he received the 2018 League of American Orchestras Ford Musician Award for Excellence in Community Service for his drum facilitation and research with stem cell transplant recipients at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.


Join us for other sessions in this series!