Mike Arturi is a lifelong professional drummer, educator and entrepreneur. Mike is currently drumming with the Rock and Roll Hall of fame band The Lovin’ Spoonful and has toured with over a dozen national and world acclaimed artists. Additionally he is the Executive Director and Founder of Universal Music Center, a non-profit music school located in Red Wing MN. Mike is also a national artist for the John F. Kennedy Center Turnaround Arts program and works extensively with underserved populations, at risk youth, juvenile offenders and County and State penal system inmates.
Participants share in a traditional Drum Circle experience. Mike begins by showing how to play the two basic tones of ‘low and high’ on the drum along with the basic hand pattern of alternating right and left. This is followed by an introduction to the ‘START & STOP’, ‘I PLAY – YOU PLAY’ (call and response), ‘RUMBLE’ (drum roll) and some basic hand directions. These simple techniques are a Spark to Learning as participants express themselves, play together, support each other in various rhythm games and realize success in learning and a sense of accomplishment all while “having fun with the drum!”
