Biography
Mike Deaton is a drummer in Harrisonburg,
Virginia. He is a performer, a recording artist,
an experienced djembe and hand-drum teacher, and a facilitator of music
for all ages and experience levels. In his 13 years of making
music, he has amassed a large collection of drums and percussion
instruments from
around the world, and learned to use them to bring people together in
harmony.
Drum The Ecstatic- Great Blue Heron Festival
Performances
He has spent many years performing West
African music around Virginia with the Charlottesville Community Drum
Choir, and as a part of the touring group Drum the Ecstatic
International,
Mike has performed for crowds as large as 5,000 people.
Drum the Ecstatic is a group founded by Jim
Donovan, best known as the drummer for the multi-platinum band Rusted
Root. The group
recently released their first CD, a high-energy recording captured live
in concert.
Studies
Mike has spent years studying music with many African masters,
including world renowned performer and teacher Mamady Keita. He has
studied with Middle-Eastern master Daveed Korup, noted music therapist
Barry Bernstein, and attended workshops around the country with
musicians and teachers as diverse as Mickey Hart, Ubaka Hill, and
Rainbow Eagle, as well as Robert Lawrence Friedman, psychotherapist and
author of the groundbreaking book The
Healing Power of the Drum.
In addition, Mike has studied extensively with Arthur Hull, the
respected
father of the modern drum circle movement and author of two
books on the subject.
Teaching
From these experiences, Mike has developed a dynamic, hands-on
teaching style that emphasizes joy and creativity. In the past six
years, he has brought drumming into classrooms ranging from elementary
to university students. He has also designed interactive, uplifting
musical events for groups of corporate executives, teachers, massage
therapists, seniors, and Katrina survivors, to name a few. Mike has
brought his Rhythm Playground to family gatherings, churches,
festivals,
and office retreats, as well as various state and national conferences.
Working through the Virginia Department of Social Services, Mike has also designed curriculum and provided training sessions to musically empower hundreds of teachers, childcare providers, and others who work with children.
Non-profit work
In addition to his musical experience, Mike is also an Early Learning
Specialist. He has extensive experience
working with children of all ages. Currently he teaches children and
parents about the importance of reading, as part of James Madison
University’s Institute for
Innovation in Health and Human Services. Using a mobile classroom
called The Gus Bus, Mike fosters learning in thousands of children each
year through
read-alouds, interactive storytelling, and art and
music activities.
Mike has a strong background in community service. He was a coordinator of a soup kitchen for many years, helped found a non-profit community center in Harrisonburg, and served on its Board of Directors for several years.
Today Mike uses rhythm and music to bring joy, understanding, and a strong awareness of community to every group he serves.