Janet Hayward

After falling in love with the djembe 13 years ago, Janet combined that passion with 30 years of classroom teaching experience, to drum with children, teens, adults, and seniors at elementary and high schools, day camps, YMCA programs, festivals, libraries, conferences, community drum circles, long-term care facilities, a tourist resort, and charity fundraisers. She has learned West African, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, Brazilian, and Middle Eastern rhythms, and drumming facilitation skills from Arthur Hull, Njacko Backo, Famadou and Billy Konate, Amadou Kienou, Catherine Veilleux, Jamie Andrews, Terri Segal, Shara Claire, Phil Shaw, Rudy “Quammie” Williams, Doug Sole, M’bemba Bangoura, Terry Cowan, Ron Rully, Anna Melnikoff, Ubaka Hill, Fule Badoe, Aly Traore, Fode “Lavia” Moussa Camara, Fara Tolno, Dede Alder, Ron Cross, Mario Melo, Charlie Cooley, Altaf “Bwana Moto” Vellani, Marcus Chonsky, and Prince Bamidele Bajowa. Janet also enjoys the Native frame drum, dunun, ashiko, doumbek, timba, and cajon. She values the drum’s ability to foster creativity, self-expression, team-building, mood improvement, and listening skills.