Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Holland.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been playing percussion since I was 7 years old. After high school, I served 8 years as a Navy Musician, traveling throughout Europe and the Far East. I then went to college and pursued a career in broadcast news. It was the arrival of my daughter, Adalina, that I felt the pull to get back into music. That’s when I discovered teaching artistry; the art of supporting a particular intention/curriculum area through the arts. This matched perfectly with my interest in childhood development and my pursuit of world percussion and rhythm-based facilitation. I started out creating rhythm-based programs & workshops that support learning in the areas of sound and science, early literacy, world culture and character education. That lead into sharing my concepts with music teachers through a series of professional development resources, live workshops and online courses. My latest pursuit has been a series of picture books – the Rhythm Rhyme Series. These books are both intended to be read in rhythm but also introduce early readers to different facets of the rhythm-making experience. My day-to-day work schedule is filled with a wide variety of programs, workshops and drum circles for both children and adults. Regardless of the event, there is always one goal in mind; to create fun-filled rhythm-based experiences that spark creativity and curiosity!
Because world percussion is my artistic pursuit, I’ve had the privilege of studying with master teachers/performers in Brazil, Nigeria, Ghana, Turkey, Cuba, Puerto Rico and in the U.S. In the ATL, I’m often found on stage with world and pop music groups.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making a living as an entrepreneur is always a risky proposition. When that pursuit is in the arts, the risks multiply exponentially. Uncertainty in the marketplace, budget cuts to arts and education, and the mere cost of doing business can definitely cause stress and a strain on one’s mental health. When the Covid pandemic hit in 2020, my business came to a sudden halt, forcing me to start over, one gig at a time. But, after a 23 year career of having maneuvered through a myriad of obstacles, my confidence to overcome challenges is solid, and clarity around my place in the ATL arts community has never been more crystal clear!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an American musician, I believe I’ve had the advantage of being exposed to a wide variety of musical genres and instruments to meld those into a unique approach to the world of percussion. I’ve taken the same approach to my work as a teaching artist. With a degree in theatre and my years in broadcasting, I’ve created a presentational style that has a track record of holding young audiences’ attention. Now, as a children’s book author, I’m taking that same approach – combining my interest in early literacy with my love of ‘all things rhythm’ to create picture books designed to both teach and inspire!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Early in my solo business career, I read a book entitled “Never Eat Alone” by Keith Ferrazzi. Keith helped me to understand that even though I was an independent business owner, that business was entirely dependent on the relationships I create along the way. Therefore I have surrounded myself with talented, inspiring people who believe in my vision and are always willing to offer their experience, support and feedback. The relationships I have with arts organizations, schools, performing groups, etc. not only provide a steady stream of income but also guidance on where and how my company can pursue other opportunities. I’m also extremely fortunate to have found amazing assistants, collaborators, colleagues, mentors and the best life partner one could ever ask for – my wife, Jennifer! I believe prioritizing time to foster relationships within every community I work has been the cornerstone to my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BeatinPathRhythmEvents.com / www.InteractiveRhythm.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/drumcircledave & instagram.com/davehollandonpercussion
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/dave.holland.31
Image Credits
Headshot: Emily Butler
