Interview with Inner Rhythms
Will Marc Maurice and I met on Facebook when he reached out to us to learn more about the drumming community in and around the Kootenay Region of BC Canada. Will resides and works from the beautiful Nakusp (BC) and after having a quick chat with him I was so impressed that we started introducing him to contacts and just had to have him on our blog for an interview about his new start-up business adventure (summer 2023).
Will wants our readers to know that he is not a drum repair guy a drum teacher - he facilitates drum circles, which is a totally different thing than a drum workshop.(That's Dave Brummet's specialty) Will considers his drum circles as a "celebration of cultures" in a fun environment, where people simply play and have fun - rather than a classroom learning vibe.
https://www.facebook.com/will.gabb.9
Will is an elementary teacher by trade with a passion hand drumming, and arts and crafts. He is most in his element when organizing and facilitating community building and recreational activities such as drum circles, guided meditations, sound healing workshops and children’s adventure programs. Will aims to engage the community through enjoyable experiences that being people together through cooperation and connection.
Will invites you to visit his Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/will.gabb.9
And the Facebook Group he created for music enthusiasts in the Nakusp area.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088948550436
Q: What was your driving force to becoming an entrepreneur?
A: I am an elementary school teacher by trade and initially thought it was the best way to use my gifts to help others. I taught mostly younger grades; 1, 2, 5, and really enjoyed most of my time in the classroom. However, the added stress and ridiculous growing expectations of what was included in the job description often dampened creativity, enthusiasm, and authenticity. Whatever was left of these qualities was quickly squashed by Covid hitting and the subsequent rules and regulations that followed. Teachers were expected to become the Covid police and to fall in-line with what they were being told to do. Long story short, it became increasingly apparent that my values were not aligning with the public school on an institutional level. This unfortunately took a heavy toll on me and eventually manifested into some medical issues requiring a leave from work. Having now had time to heal, I am focused on exploring what I am most passionate about in life, and to start trust my abilities to facilitate and educate in a more authentic way.
I have made it my mission to create a sustainable life doing the things I love, drumming, facilitating events, and children's programming. These are beginning to take shape in my two new companies; Inner Rhythms is a community minded social enterprise that facilitates and supports local events in Nakusp, BC. As the name suggests, Inner Rhythms began as a drum circle and has now morphed into a conscious container that facilitates community-building events such as a meditation group, and sound healing ceremonies. Valley Roamers is still in the works, but will provide recreational and educational programming to children, facilitated through our mobile classroom. "Betty" is a full-sized school bus that we have retrofitted to function as a portable learning space. I am incredibly excited to see where each of these opportunities takes me.
Q: What kind of culture exists in your organization and how did you establish it?
A: As Inner Rhythms is so new, the culture and overall feel of our community is in constant ebb and flow. I believe it is important to establish a moral foundation that allows others to feel stable and comfortable to truly share their gifts.
Openness, intention, and consistency support the base of our structure. As more find us, the beauty of our community grows with each member adding their own piece. Inner Rhythms aims to be the bank that guides the streaming river.
A: I have dabbled with all sorts of instruments from an early age but am very new to performing and facilitating in the music industry. I began attending a drum circle in Calgary, AB called Circles of Rhythm in 2015 - An incredible company run by Julien Lepage. Julien is an absolute powerhouse, attracting anywhere from 60-120 people every Friday night.
It was through his generosity, offering me training in the facilitated community drum circle model in 2019 and again in 2022 that gave me the confidence to begin my own drum circle in Nakusp. I am currently holding a drum circle once a week alongside a sound healing ceremony called "The Rhythm Cradle" once a month.
Q: What are your most favorite aspects of running a business?
A: I think first and foremost having people show up to and participate in something you have planned is an incredible feeling. Furthering that point, starting the drum circle (and now other programs) lends itself to meeting all sorts of people that you might not cross paths with otherwise. Nakusp (BC, Canada) is quite small, so creating a social circle is incredibly rewarding as you get to run into them throughout town.
Q: What level of community involvement do you have in the music industry?
A: Representing and providing opportunities for the community of Nakusp is the real driving force behind Inner Rhythms (and Valley Roamers). I look to utilize my own gifts and create opportunities for members of the surrounding community to get together and bond through common activities. As I come to understand that town more and the people within it, the vision of each offering can take shape, meeting the needs presented by the inhabitants of Nakusp. The heart of a small town is reliant on consistent and intentional connections that inspire the community.
Q: What are your dreams/goals within the music industry?
A: I am incredibly excited to continue with Inner Rhythms and offer events and workshops throughout the Kootenays of BC.
I have some irons in the fire in areas like New Denver, Nelson, and Castlegar (BC - Canada) and am hoping to expand further.
Bringing people together through drumming and rhythm has been a transformational experience, one that I want to share with as many people as many people as possible.
Q: When dealing with large groups there can be a lot of discourse, what are some techniques you use to get them to focus on one thing together, at the same time?
A: I think the beauty of rhythm lies in the opportunity to find yourself somewhere in the space between the beats. In our circles, we utilize the indigenous frame drum to ensure we all have a heartbeat to rely on. Much like in life, the heartbeat is our safe place, our starting point. It is said that everyone is a drummer, because the first thing we hear in our mother's womb is the steady rhythmic flood of her heartbeat. The soothing and safe nature of the heartbeat offers a container for personality to flourish with drums like Djembes and tubanos, and a variety of different percussion instruments.
As a facilitator, I aim to provide simple tools that inspire others to take risks, daring to find out how they best fit in between the beats. If the conversation of the circle begins to sound more like talking over each other, gentle guidance and facilitation with actions such as increasing or decreasing the volume of drumming, call and response activities, or demonstrating specific rhythms can quickly bring everyone back into harmony with each other. The trick is identifying when to step in to moderate, and when to give the circle room to grow and evolve on its own.
"Guide by the side, not the sage on the stage."
Q: Why did you choose Buffalo Drums, Tubanos, and Djembes as the main instruments for your circle?
A: Each of the drums that I offer for use of the circle comes from the wisdom of the facilitated community drum circle model. This is the model that I trained in with Julien at Circles of Rhythm and provides multiple points of entry for all levels of drumming and participation. As people enter the circle, each of these drums offers them a different opportunity and choice on how they would like to contribute. For those looking to support, the mallet and slower pace of the buffalo drum may be the best option. Those looking to blow off some steam, the faster more physical style of the djembe could be the route to explore.
Q: Are you excited about the future in the music industry?
A: Finding drumming and facilitating drum circles has been an absolute blessing. It has taken the lead and helped inspire several major changes to the direction and purpose of my life. I anxiously await more opportunities to grow as a musician and facilitator, and look forward to the growth and connections I can make within my community.
https://amazon.com/author/lillianbrummet
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