Dave Holland
Dave Holland is a dynamic performer, teaching artist and interactive rhythm facilitator. Since 2001, Dave has been an active member of the Atlanta arts in education community. He has presented arts-integrated programs on behalf of the Georgia Council for the Arts, Young Audiences, ArtsNow, the Fulton County Teaching Museum, as well as his own company, Beatin’ Path Rhythm Events. As a life-long “rhythmatist” Dave uses a wide palette of percussion to create compelling, curriculum-based programs in the areas of storytelling, sound and science, character education, and cultural appreciation. Filled with endless energy, constant curiosity, and a love for learning, Dave’s assembly programs, workshops, and drum circles are always engaging, educational, and fun.
Social Media: Facebook
Languages Spoken: English and Italian
Arts Disciplines: Music, Theatre/Drama
Core Content Curriculum Areas: Music, Theatre/Drama, English/Language Arts, Science, Social Studies/History
Specialized Content Areas: Arts Integration, STEAM, ELL (English Language Learners), Literacy, History, World Cultures, Character Education, Mindfulness Strategies
Grade Levels: Pre-K, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Special Populations: ELL (English Language Learners), At-Risk Students, Dyslexic Students, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Students, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students, LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) students, Exceptional Learners (students with disabilities as well as those who are gifted and talented
Pre-Service Learning and Professional Development: Post-Secondary/Pre-Service Learning, Professional Development for K-12 Teachers
Geographic Availability: Metro Atlanta, North Georgia, Middle Georgia, South Georgia
Program Types:
School-based Classroom Workshop(s), School-based Afterschool Program, School-based Assembly Program, School-based Residency Program, School-based Summer Program
Community-based Afterschool Program, Community-based Summer Program, Online Content for School Use, Online Content for Summer Program Use, Hybrid Online and In-Person Content for Schools
Program Fees:
- Performance Fee: Starting at $475 – $650
- Workshop Fee: Starting at $300
- Residency Fee: $3100 – $4100 (One Week)
- Access to Online Content: Starting at $29
- Hybrid Online and In-Person: Starting at $400
Artistic Profile:
Dave Holland is passionate about connecting students with their curriculum through dynamic rhythm-based assembly programs, workshops, and drum circles. Dave has traveled to West Africa, Brazil, the Middle East, and the Caribbean to study world percussion, language, and culture. His experiences overseas have inspired him to create rhythm-driven programs designed to teach culture, language, literacy, science, and character education. Dave’s programs have been featured at hundreds of schools, museums, and libraries across the southeast, including the High Museum, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Spivey Hall, the Woodruff Arts Center, the Aurora Theatre, and countless others.
Along with in-school programs, Dave has also become a notable author and workshop presenter in the field of music education, music therapy, and drum circle facilitation. Dave’s presentations have been featured at the International Orff –Schulwerk Conference, the National Music Education Conference, the Percussive Arts Society’s International Conference, the National Drum Circle Facilitator’s Conference, and numerous statewide Music Educators’ Conferences across the country.
Dave brings to every stage performance, workshop, and drum circle playful curiosity, boundless energy, and a love for learning. He carries with him a belief that arts in education programs can have a powerful impact in enhancing self-awareness, interpersonal connection, and creativity in the lives of all of Georgia’s children and youth.
Teaching Experience:
Dave has served as a teaching artist and arts-based performer with the Georgia Council for the Arts, Young Audiences, Arts for Learning, ArtsNow, the Fulton County Teaching Museum, and his own company Beatin’ Path Rhythm Events since 2001. During that time, he has presented thousands of assembly programs, workshops, and residencies in the areas of world culture, music, literacy, language, and character education. While visiting schools, Dave is often asked to present professional development workshops as a way of creating greater engagement, community, teamwork, and arts- integrated awareness among staff and faculty.
Sample Programs:
- HEY! WHAT’S THAT SOUND?: Discover the world of sound & science through world percussion and high energy audience interaction! In this 45 minute, STEAM-powered assembly program, students are introduced to basic sound & science principles, various environmental resources and how this knowledge can help us to better understand how music is created. Concepts & terms covered in this fun-filled assembly include vibration, pitch, volume, friction, wavelength, frequency, amplitude and chain reaction. Grades K-5.
- DRUMMING UP THE STORIES: This high-energy, rhythm-based storytelling experience is guaranteed to spark the imagination and kindle a love of reading! In this 45 minute assembly program, students learn how the drum was first used to communicate, how music can enhance storytelling and how instruments can be created from ordinary objects. Lots of audience participation ensures a memorable, fun-filled, percussion-loaded learning extravaganza as students are guided through an array of world folktales with drumming, song & audience participation! Grades K-5.
- SHARE THE BEAT: Share the Beat puts an instrument in every student’s hand as they learn how rhythm is used around the world to create connection, communication and celebration. A rhythmic tour guide helps students work together to create and “in the moment musical experience”, one beat at a time. Along the way, they’ll discover new instruments, sing an international folk song or two and learn to appreciate the rhythm in their everyday lives. The result? A learning experience that’s guaranteed to spark cultural appreciation, diversity awareness and increased awareness of what it means to be an active, responsible member of a vibrant community! Grades 3–8.
- RHYTHM OF A CULTURE: Discover the rich history and cultures of the world through these interactive, hands-on, arts integrated workshops! In each Rhythm of a Culture session, students are guided through a particular part of the world’s geography, history and culture through world percussion demonstration and performance. Along the way, students are introduced to that culture’s language, customs and environmental resources. Every session culminates with students collaborating in a hands-on musical celebration featuring rhythms and instruments from the culture presented. *Currently Available Rhythm of a Culture Workshops: Latin America, West Africa & Middle East. Grades 5–12.
Sample Lesson Plans/Study Guides:
- Listing ID: 6006