Yeshima (they/them) is very passionate about drumming, teaching, and strengthening community through Community Drum Circles and group drumming playshops. An educator and percussionist of 26 plus years, they are currently self-employed at DrumSmart LLC where they provide group drumming opportunities in world music using World Music Pedagogy, Drum Circle Facilitation to support social and emotional learning, and professional development opportunities for music educators. As a lifelong learner, Yeshima is pursuing their Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. Their research interests are the effects of group drumming on the social and emotional well-being of participants. Yeshima is a certified Remo Health Rhythms Facilitator, Beat The Odds Facilitator, Village Music Circles trainee, Tam Tam Mandingue Apprentice, World Music Drumming Level 1, World Music Pedagogy, Dalcroze Level 1, and has received their Orff Levels 1-3 at the University of Kentucky. A recent addition to the Percussive Arts Society Interactive Drum Committee, Yeshima is excited to share their talents as a researcher, author, and editor. In addition, they have been added to the Remo Health and Wellness Roster as a featured drum circle facilitator.

Yeshima’s soul purpose is to share the spirit of the drum by supporting their colleagues around the world and sharing their innovative music lessons with others at music conferences, community events, and online. In addition, they are the host of the Power of Percussion Podcast where they explore the many facets of how percussion can be used to heal the body, mind and spirit. Yeshima is a published author at F-flat Books. Their eBook, It’s Drum O’ Clock has received excellent reviews and comes highly recommended.

When Yeshima is not drumming, you can find them tending the forest with their cat Giovanni, staring at trees, or listening to nature's symphony of sound.