Monica's Bio

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About Monica

Rhythm is the soul of life. ~ Babatunde Olatunji

We are surrounded by rhythm. The seasons, the migration of the animals, the rising and setting of the sun, all patterns of rhythm found in nature. One primal rhythm we humans all share is experienced before birth, through the heartbeat of our mother. This may be why drumming... has continued to address something that is integral and held deep within us, a universal rhythm at the center of the human spirit. ~ Mickey Hart

Monica Hofer is a classically trained pianist and community choir facilitator. She studies African drumming with Kocassale Dioubate, master Drummer from Guinea, and has trained in Drum Circle Facilitation with Arthur Hull at a Village Music Circles weekend playshop...and has trained in HealthRHYTHMS facilitation with
Barry Bittman MD and Christine Stevens.

Monica brings a love of rhythm, an exuberant and encouraging style of facilitation and an absolute belief in the healing and unifying power of the drum to all of her workshops and events.

Some of the organizations that Monica has facilitated drumming circles with include:

- Royston Elementary School, Royston BC

- Glacier View Elementary School, Courtenay BC

- Village Park Elementary School, Comox BC

- Huband Elementary School, Courtenay BC

- Arden Elementary School, Courtenay BC

- Denman Island Elementary School, Denman Island BC

- Valley View Elementary School, Comox BC

- Chronic Pain Support Group, VIHA Courtenay BC

- Wachiay Friendship Centre, Elders Drum, Courtenay BC

- Wachiay Friendship Centre, Staff Drum, Courtenay BC

- Canada World Youth, Courtenay BC

- Katimavik, Cumberland BC

- Gardens Without Borders, Royston BC

- Innisfree Farm, Royston BC

- A Day for Africa, Courtenay BC

- 10 Billion Beats, Courtenay BC

- D’Esterre House, Comox BC

- Lighthouse Community Fall Fair, Qualicum Bay BC

- Comox Valley Transition Society, Courtenay BC

- Women’s Resource Centre, Courtenay BC

- Montessori Kids Drum, Courtenay BC

- Denman Island Elementary Preschool, Denman Island BC

- World Gratitude Drumming, Courtenay BC

- Fanny Bay Hall “Stay Fit” Event, Fanny Bay BC

- Unitarian Congregation, Comox BC

Aside from her deep love of music and her strong connection to the primal heartbeat of Mother Earth, Monica is also passionate about birth, children and women’s empowerment. She is a certified therapeutic herbalist, breastfeeding counsellor, reflexologist, prenatal instructor and doula (professional labour support for pregnant women and their partners/families). In all that she does, she seeks to encourage and support child honouring, informed decision making, natural health and lifestyle, unity in diversity, empowerment of those who lack a strong voice and a firm belief in the miracles (both large and small) of Nature.

Sound is power and the first sound we hear is the pulse of our mother's blood. No sound has a more powerful effect on our consciousness. Drumming is the musical expression of this primal power. Rhythm is a means of organizing sound into specific energy formulas to harmonize the mind and body. Chanting, rhythmic breathing and drumming form an ancient technology for directly synchronizing the mind/body complex, creating conditions for psychological and physical healing. ~ Layne Redmond