My Journey with the Drum

In 2006, I began a descent journey of personal healing. This underworld immersion of reclamation and retrieval took place inside of women’s circles using modalities such as trauma and resiliency informed somatics, shadow work, authentic movement, co-counseling, herbcrafting, ceremony, lots of singing and tending to grief. Within these dedicated practice spaces where it was safe enough to feel, bear witness, and heal, I realized that much of what I carried didn’t begin with me, but was handed to me by my Ancestors. They gave me their unhealed storylines, and they also gave me gifts. As I companioned others through their anguished and transformative passages, I discovered how powerful rhythmic soundspace can be in facilitating such deep processes. I discovered I had a knack for it, and I went seeking my Ancestral rhythms to do this.

In 2010, I discovered Alessandra Belloni’s work and began to learn the Southern Italian drumming styles. In 2012, I had my first return trip to my ancestral lands of Italy. I attended Alessandra Belloni’s Rhythm Is the Cure: Healing Drum and Dance Intensive, in Florence, Italy. I learned the Southern Italian Tarantellas, the Pizzica, the Tammurriata rhythms and dances.

From 2019-2022, I took weekly online drumming classes with Alessandra, and at times would substitute for her and teach her beginner’s classes.

During the pandemic, I also began to study with Barbara Crescimanno (Palermo, Sicily) in online classes.

In 2022, I traveled to my ancestral Motherland, Sicily! I visited the villages where my Grandparents were from, met cousins, and did an intensive 6-week study with Barbara Crescimanno at Arci Tavola Tonda in Palermo. I was able to deepen in my understanding of Southern Italian Rhythms and dances, but also focus on the Sicilian techniques.

In August 2023, my Sicilian (Ohio) family started organizing an annual Farm Festa. This is a ‘Village practice” of immersive study and rehearsal in the traditional music by a small ensemble, culminating in a performance at our farm in Ohio, after 2 months of practice. We share the music as a cultural presentation along side a 5-course, farm-to-table Southern Italian meal. Each year this cultural roots practice deepens and grows! It is a highlight of our year!

In October 2023, I completed an intensive training in the traditional music with Andrea Piccioni and Livia Giafredda in Tuscany.

In 2025, I completed my Master’s Degree at Antioch University in Applied Ethnomusicology and Decolonial Praxis. During this time, I did two auth-ethnographic field studies in Sicily and Apulia focused on ethical cultural stewardship, and embodied learning in oral and mimetic cultural systems. This included attending “Choros” with Barbara Crescimanno in June 2025, for Summer Solstice. Then, in September 2025, I attended Ninfe (Nymphs) with Barbara Crescimanno, MaryBeth Bonfiglio, and Michael Strom - in Messina, Sicily, focused on Waters and Mountains. Next, I traveled over to Galatina, Puglia for La Danza International Residency with Rosa Voto and Kate Causbie, and many of the local custodians and researchers of the Pizzica, rooted in that region.

I have an ongoing study relationship with Barbara, while I offer foundations lessons to folks in the States. I try to travel back to Sicily every other year for in-person immersions in this oral tradition.

At this time, I enjoy teaching these rhythms and dances with small groups locally, and I also offer classes online to small groups and individuals.

• Alessandra Belloni - www.alessandrabelloni.com

• Barbara Crescimanno - https://www.tavolatonda.org/index.php/en/

• Andrea Piccioni - https://www.andreapiccioni.net/

• Livia Giafredda - https://www.instagram.com/liviagiaffreda/

• Rosa Voto - https://www.melbourneschooloftarantella.com/

• La Danza International Residency - https://www.ladanzaresidency.com/

• MaryBeth Bonfiglio and Radici Siciliane - https://www.radicisiciliane.com/

To learn more about the ancient roots of women’s relationship to time, rhythm, drum, song dance and devotion, and what menstruation has to do with it, as is revealed in the anthropological record of Southern Europe, the Fertile Crescent and Northern Africa watch these videos created by Barbara Crescimanno.
1. the origins of the rhythm and 2. iconography of the frame drum

It is in Italian with English subtitles. (If subtitles are not showing up, click on “Closed Caption” / ‘CC’ and then click on “English”)

https://vimeo.com/showcase/8179811

Also, check out Layne Redmond’s book. “ When the Women Were Drummers”.