Drum Safari: Rhythmic Pioneers Transforming Music Education
Through the fusion of educational expertise, cultural celebration, and rhythmic innovation, Brandon and Teryn Draper have created something extraordinary—a musical safari that transcends traditional boundaries and transforms curious minds into confident creators. Founded in 2005, Drum Safari represents more than an interactive music program; it embodies a philosophy where everyone can play together in a safe and motivating environment that celebrates the rich tapestry of global musical traditions.
The story of Drum Safari began in the halls of higher education, where two passionate percussionists and educators discovered their shared vision for transformative music education. Brandon Draper, who taught contemporary music to grades 6-12 before becoming a professor at the University of Kansas, and Teryn Draper, a certified educator across Kansas, New Mexico, and Missouri with experience spanning K-3 in public, private, Montessori, and Waldorf schools, met during their college years studying percussion and education with Professor Dean Kranzler.
Their educational journey took a pivotal turn at PASIC 2004, where they attended their first workshops led by the legendary Arthur Hull. This experience, combined with the generous mentorship of "Bongo" Barry Bernstein from 2006-2009—who shared his time and instruments to guide their early development—laid the foundation for what would become their revolutionary approach to interactive music facilitation.
The Drum Safari interactive program invites children of all ages to join a musical "safari" where they meet different animals from around the world, each set to rhythm. After meeting these rhythmic ambassadors, each child receives a percussion instrument, and the jungle jam begins—as the rhythms of the animals lock together, an exciting sense of community develops that reflects the greater music education community's spirit of innovation and collaboration.
The program's beginnings took root in 2005 at Vista Grande Community Center in Sandia Park, New Mexico, where the Drapers worked with East Mountain High School after school programs and first tested their vision of creating inclusive musical experiences that honor both cultural preservation and rhythmic innovation.
Their transformative approach earned them recognition as Kennedy Center Teaching Artists in 2014, validating their methodology and expanding their platform for impact. Today, while based in Kansas City, their summer tours for Library Summer Reading programs and festivals take them across New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, reaching approximately 42,000 children and families annually through roughly 175 performances per year.
The Drapers now travel and perform with their children, Eva (17) and Ivy (14), both accomplished teachers and percussionists who carry forward the family tradition of musical excellence and educational innovation. This multi-generational approach creates authentic mentorship opportunities and demonstrates the lasting impact of their educational outreach.
Press:
https://news.ku.edu/news/article/2018/05/30/drum-safari-model-musical-enterprise
https://citylifestyle.com/articles/drum-safari
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Brandon and Teryn performing for kids at the Palisade CO public library.
photo: Janie Jones