THE POWER OF COLLABORATION & IMPROVISATION
Drum Like a Lady was founded in 2013, as a non-profit collective, "Led by Women and Governed by Percussion". Founded by artist and educator, LaTreice V Branson, DLAL's mission was to curate inspired, collaborative programming for people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, and ranges of ability to experience communal and personal wellness through collective drumming, wellness programming and disability advocacy. In 2023, DLAL transitioned into Radical Adventures in Wellness (RAW).
"To preserve my health, I now welcome audiences to become drums instead of 'playing drums', activating the many natural rhythms in the body." - LaTreice V. Branson
The DLAL Experience
The DLAL Experience
Drum Like a Lady @ The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Drum Like a Lady Celebrates 5 Years
Drum Like a Lady @ The Women's March on Philadelphia
Drum Like a Lady Presents: Rev. Paula Y Branson
Founded in 2013, with one drum, LaTreice began curating performances in response to the discriminatory and sexist practices observed in the drumming community. Drum Like a Lady encourages all individuals to see the drum as a healing instrument, a community tool, and one of the most powerful and effective methods of non-verbal communication known to humanity. Unfortunately, Western culture has indoctrinated many of us to see the drum as masculine, loud, dominant, and aggressive, all of which is false and anti-female.
Through the Drum Like a Lady jam sessions series and outreach programs, individuals at all skills levels, ranging from the novice to the world traveler were invited to share in the creation and celebration of a new soundscape – rooted in improvisation and inspired by the beauty of femininity. DLAL is where the community came to be uplifted, inspired, loved, supported and appreciated.
Drum Like a Lady held a 2 year residency at Dahlak Paradise, hosting over 40 jam sessions that were offered to the community as free, inclusive and collaborative experiences rooted in improvisation. Drum Like a Lady also sparked Drum4LIFE, a wellness initiative that offered drum workshops to the blind and visually impaired, youth with autism, and individuals conquering mental illness and trauma. In 2017 and 2018, Drum Like a Lady led the Women’s March on Philadelphia to crowds of over 50,000. In 2018, DLAL celebrated 5 years of service, with a triumphant 8 hour drum festival, at The Barnes Foundation, featuring performances and workshops with the leading female percussionists in the region.