History
In 1989, Colleen Haas founded Drumming Our Fill, a percussion studio for women. Colleen was responding to the cultural norm that percussion was a male pursuit, not suited for women. In her studio, women could freely explore world music through percussion and drumming. Advanced students from the studio formed drumHeart, a performance ensemble that continues to the present day.
The Birth of a Unique Studio
drumHeart
In 1996, Haas relocated to Winona, Minnesota, and left her studio. Not wanting to lose this unique center, members of drumHeart reorganized it as drumHeart Studio, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit. In 2001, drumHeart Studio changed its name to the Women’s Drum Center (WDC). The WDC created a mission statement, operational practices, and hired Kari Kjome as drumHeart director.
The Emergence of the WDC
drumHeart
Kari Kjome had been a long-time student of world music, especially African drumming. She had a solid performance background and expanded the drumHeart repertoire to include traditional African drum songs. She offered percussion workshops and classes which established the WDC as a community center/teaching school for women to learn and experience world drumming. In 2008, Kari relocated to Portland, Oregon to further her life goals.
Development as a Community Center/School
drumHeart at the May Day Parade
Since 2008, several women have been drumHeart directors and lead instructors. Marisa Cuneo-Linsley, Krissy Bergmark, Bettie Seitzer, and Kathy Crocket each brought their unique training, experience, repertoire, and leadership to advance the WDC’s development. The WDC also employed additional women (and some men) as teaching artists for classes and workshops.
In 2011, the WDC leadership acknowledged that women and girls may not feel as shut out of drumming as the women of 20 years earlier did. To best serve a new generation. the WDC needed to support “the whole woman” and all of the people in her life, including male family members and friends. While retaining its women-centered focus, the WDC revised its mission and vision to reflect this more inclusive philosophy.
The Expansion of the Drumming Community
Dan, Alex, and Bettie at the 2019 annual concert.
Now and Into the Future
The WOMEN’S DRUM CENTER (WDC) is a thriving community. It has grown to five performing ensembles, affordable classes and workshops, community-focused programs, and a large collection of drums for ensemble and student use.
The WDC is community-minded. Women appreciate being in a space dedicated to fostering their skills as percussionists, leaders, and community builders. Outreach programs are designed to bring percussion experiences to groups from youth to older adults. WDC ensembles are popular features at area events and fundraisers.
The WDC is volunteer-supported. A recent Minnesota State Arts Board panelist commented that the WDC had an exceptionally high level of volunteer commitment for an organization its size. Individuals support the WDC through their expertise, financial support, and personal involvement.
The WDC is still an unusual place in the best sense of the word. Although women in percussion are not as unusual as when Colleen Haas founded her studio, the WDC will always have some “women-only” groups and classes. The WDC will continue to grow, and the women who walk in Colleen's footsteps will keep it vibrant for decades to come.