Facilitator of Australia’s longest running council-funded community drum circle, and owner of The Rhythm Connection, Alex Salvador, left his job of 20 years to pursue his passion. Now facilitating drum circles in schools, festivals and special events, as well as team building activities for groups and organisations, he hasn’t looked back and is working on expanding into smaller regions like the Hebert and Burdekin.
Tell us about yourself and The Rhythm Connection.
I am a full-time Drum Circle Facilitator and Sound Immersion specialist delivering activities in North Queensland that connect people and build communities. Through my business, The Rhythm Connection, I facilitate drum circles in schools, festivals and special events and as a team building activity for various groups and organisations in the region.
I hold regular classes on African drumming as well as monthly “Bliss Out” Sound Immersion and Tone Chimes experience wherein participants bliss out on the wonderful relaxing vibrations of my singing bowls, wind gong, flutes from around the world, chimes, rainstick, African harp and more!
I am the facilitator of Australia’s longest running council funded Community Drum Circle – the Full Moon Drum Circle, now in its 24th year. In 2021, I received the Australia Day Arts and Culture Award for 20 years of Full Moon Drum Circles and last month I was awarded, in absentia, the Queensland Filipino Excellence Award in Arts in Culture during a gala event held in the Brisbane City Hall.
People bring their African drums to me for restoration where I lovingly re-oil and reskin the drums using Australian goat skins. I also custom build African drums for people wanting to have their own.
I am the group leader of the Townsville Drum Collective – a 22-piece group performing rhythms and arrangements inspired by the cultures of Brazil and West Africa. I also lead the specialised performing group – Immerse – performing music created in the moment on keyboard, drum kit, percussion and flutes from around the world.
As a pianist since a young age, I have been known to appear as a solo performer at various events especially art exhibition launches in our city’s galleries.
What has been the most challenging aspect of owning The Rhythm Connection?
While facilitating drum circles, sound immersion events and performing as a musician is uplifting, invigorating and fun, the physical aspect of moving and setting up / packing down over 70 drums, 50 percussion instruments, seats, PA systems at events can be quite demanding. There has recently been more demand for my services in regional areas and the many hours of driving to those smaller towns can get quite exhausting.
The move to facilitating drum circles, sound immersion events and performing as a musician in a full-time capacity as of July 2023 has been exciting, fulfilling but also quite scary. Leaving my secure full-time employment of 20 years was a massive step but there has not been any regrets since making the move.
The administration involved in the finance, taxation and business activity statements is not a lot of fun but must be done.
What is a fun fact about yourself?
I can memorise people’s names quite easily during my events. They say the sweetest sound one can hear is the sound of one’s own name. Remembering and using people’s first names during an activity instantly breaks down many barriers and never fails to bring smiles.
What is the best piece of career or business advice you have ever received?
I once asked a prominent musician for some advice about how to do well in the music scene. He said “be good at what you do” first and foremost, “be reliable” and “be easy to deal with”. These are things I already observe but it was great to be reminded of these.
Going forward, what is next on the cards for The Rhythm Connection?
Given the success and the evident positive outcomes to the community of the 24 years of Full Moon Drum Circles in Townsville, I am working on setting up similar ongoing events in regional areas in the Whitsundays, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers and Flinders shire.
Main image – Alex Salvador
Images Credits – All images supplied.
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