We all go through changes in life. Learning to play drums and learning to dance can be a humbling experience. We have to surrender, we have to be open up. Often we are in awe of our teachers and we are vulnerable. Maybe we feel culturaley responsible for another cultures hardships. Maybe there is a deep seated sense of guilt. It happens and it is natural.

Please do not let yourself be taken advantage of by a teacher or leader in any way shape or form! I have seen this happen too many times. Know your boundaries and treat people as people regardless of their status as a great drummer or master dancer. They are not a god or special or better person because they are a drum master or dance instructor. I respect their talent and I respect them as I respect you.

Being a drum student can be very challenging and different then being a student in a western school system. Many of us are not brought up like this and are not prepared to learn like this.

The bottom line is this. We are all men and women and do not need to give away our self esteem or take abuse from our teachers or group leaders. Although this is prevalant in may cultures, in the long run, it does not work for westerners and the answer is open honest direct communication in a positive fear free way is a necessity in this day and age. If you are un comfortable and or unhappy with a situation or how you are being treated, step up and speak up about it imeadiately! Do not give away your power!

There is no room for abuse by a teacher or leader! I have zero tolerance for negativity, superiority actions or any other un productive attitudes or energy that comes my way form a teacher or other students, players or leaders and you should not eighther.

Meanwhile, right now, there is a teacher, someone in the drum and dance community in Nor Cal who has AIDS and is still having unprotected sex. I am not pointing fingers or naming names. It is not my business to talk about others sex lives or sickness but this is something that threatens the community at large!

Please people, find out about your partners and be careful! It is a real threat. This is life and death we are talking about. A dancer has died recently as a result and we need to take care of each other here!