Hello to everyone in Drumland! It’s Pat Gesualdo, Vater Percussion special education program director, and president/CEO of the non-profit organization DAD (Drums And Disabilities). First, I would like to say thank you to all of you who came to see me on my drum therapy clinic/lecture tour. It was great meeting all of you!

I would like to take this opportunity on the Modern Drummer blog to give you some insight into my responsibilities at Vater, tell you a bit about the DAD program, and inform you as to how you can take part in our unique program efforts. In these positions, I train drum instructors in our drum therapy techniques, which helps the special-needs population develop retention, coordination, and self-esteem through drumming.

DAD is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his administration helped me launch in several New York City schools and communities, to help the special-needs population with drumming. Our program is now featured in schools and communities throughout the world. Various celebrities, sports stars, politicians, doctors, and major corporations have also joined forces with us in this wonderful project. Advertisement

As drum instructors, you have the opportunity to take part in this program and can get certified in our “Drum Therapy” techniques, which in turn will enable you to help expand your private teaching practice and work with the special-needs population in various locations in your communities. Besides monetary income, there are other great benefits to becoming involved in the DAD program.

I also hold DAD program training programs, where I train psychologists, doctors, and drummers throughout the world in these techniques. So any of you who would like to join us in the Vater/DAD program, please feel free to contact me directly at www.myspace.com/patgesualdo. And be sure to stop by my official Web sites, www.myspace.com/vaterpercussion, www.myspace.com/dadprogram, and www.dadprogram.org, to check on my tour dates, DAD events, and even some of my new tunes. And for those of you going to NAMM, please be sure to visit me at the Vater booth to say hi.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Pat Gesualdo