John Fitzgerald
Drum Circle Facilitator and Board Member
Before he fell in love with the transformational impact of facilitated rhythm experiences and coaching, John Fitzgerald spent decades as a California Institute of the Arts trained percussionist performing jazz and classical music, and the amazing music of cultures from around the world.
John has designed and facilitated drum circles and other rhythm experiences for community celebrations, special needs populations, corporate team-building, communication, and leadership for over 20 years. Creating deeper awareness in service of positive change for individuals, communities, and organization is a primary aspect of all of John’s work. He also works with individuals and organizations through his coaching practice and brings to all his work the great gifts music has given him: deep curiosity, the capacity to listen for rhythm and cadence, and an ability to trust his intuition and improvise naturally in service of his clients’
goals and aspirations.
As the Manager of Recreational Music Activities for Remo Inc., for 23 years, John created relationships with organizations and individuals, educating and advocating for the use of music for wellbeing in every imaginable population through a global network of partnerships, facilitators, and Remo’s distributor network. Presentations, training, and facilitated experiential activities at conferences and symposia were a central part of his work at Remo, and his passion as well.
John has studied the art of Ontological Coaching with Julio Ollala, founder of Newfield Network, Somatic Coaching at the Strozzi Institute, drum circle facilitation with Arthur Hull, founder of Village Music Circles, and has completed the HealthRHYTHMS Group Empowerment Drumming Facilitation Training, Beat the Odds training, among many others. He is a Village Music Circles Global Certified Trainer, past chairperson of the Interactive Drumming Committee at the Percussive Arts Society a member of the International Coach Federation and its local Los Angeles chapter, the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild, and the
Percussive Arts Society.