Drum Circles Designed for Older Adults
UpBEATS is a program of the WOMEN’S DRUM CENTER that was founded in 2020.
OVERVIEW
Drumming is fun, and research shows it is an enrichment activity that energizes participants and provides many physical and emotional benefits for older people.
Fosters a greater sense of community among residents
Enriches residents by participating in making music, not just listening to it
Establishes a fun and joyful environment for residents
A group of participants enjoy a drum circle through expressions of rhythm.
The UpBEATS team makes the experience stress-free and easy for residents, activity program directors, coordinators, and planners in senior congregate settings.
Drums and other forms of percussion are brought to your location
Each drum circle is led by trained and experienced facilitators to bring the fun and joy of drumming to residents
Facilitators offer rhythms, exercises and games for all levels: no prior drumming experience required
Circles are designed to welcome individuals of all abilities into a fun, dynamic environment.
Bring an enriching and engaging drum circle to your community.
Watch the UpBEATS team at work in the community and hear testimonials from participants!
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING?
Special thanks to Will Hommeyer with Blue Moon Productions for the wonderful video!
WHY UpBEATS?
In 2025, the program was awarded a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). This funding coupled with additional support from the WDC allowed the program to purchase 12 new community drums, recruit and train 7 women, and hold five drum circles with about 65 enthusiastic participants.
In 2026, the program continues to grow. The UpBEATS team just wrapped up 9 drum circles in three senior residential settings, bringing the fun and joy of drumming to 130 people. The reviews have been great:
“It’s so much fun!”
“People just light up in a drum circle. It’s heartwarming to see their joy and laughter.”
“What I liked best was being part of something more than myself.”
“I liked experimenting with new sounds...surprising myself.”
“I want to do more of this!”
UpBEATS provides seniors with an enjoyable, engaging and enriching community activity.
A note from the program director:
“I have seen the power of music on older adults who live in congregate settings. I wanted to be part of bringing participative music to them. Making music together is even more powerful than just listening to it. We now have a dedicated group of women who are passionate about sharing drumming to foster joy and community. We love sharing the power of drumming. The nursing home where my late husband spent several months often had musicians perform for the senior residents. The music lit up the energy in the room and delighted the residents. We have the same results with UpBEATS.”
~Diane McGuire
Diane McGuire, Director of UpBEATS Program
Diane McGuire brings a diverse and varied wealth of knowledge to the UpBEATS program. She completed her undergraduate studies at Oberlin College in Ohio, known for their music conservatory. She pursued graduate studies at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota where she focused on aging and health care issues. Diane worked at the State of Minnesota on a year-long project to assess the scope of family caregiving for seniors. After 34 years in communications and marketing for a large health care organization, Diane retired to care for her husband. When he entered a nursing home, she witnessed first-hand the impact of music on the residents. She saw how much pleasure they got from music when musicians came to perform.
Diane was inspired to pursue her musical journey through drumming and had her first lesson at the WDC in 2021. She has since taken many classes and workshops, performed in concerts and participated in drum circles in various settings. She completed the nationally renowned HealthRHYTHMS facilitator training for drum circle leaders and serves on the WDC board as the UpBEATS program director. Diane and her team are eager to share the joy, fun and community spirit that drum circles create.
Activities of the UpBEATS program at the WOMEN’S DRUM CENTER are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
