About


The Developmental Community Music Approach (DCM)

Developmental Community Music (DCM) is a comprehensive approach to facilitating an inclusive group process. DCM makes it fun and easy to present enriching and dynamic experiences for groups of all kinds.

Using the DCM approach helps people:

- get to know and appreciate each other.
- feel comfortable expressing themselves in a group.
- feel confident using their musical abilities.
- learn to listen and respond to others in appropriate ways.
- use the principles of effective teamwork to reach a common goal.
- reconnect with and share their playful and creative spirit.

DCM is much more than group music making. It's a holistic approach to self-improvement that is rooted in Music Therapy, Orff-Schulwerk (music for children), Recreational Music Making, and unique practices developed by Kalani.

The books, DVD, web-site and training courses offer multiple levels of support that make learning and applying the DCM approach both accessible and effective. Participants may elect to work towards certification as a way to raise their personal skill set and support their work, no matter the field.

Kalani is a professional percussionist, music educator, and music therapist who was recently voted "World Percussionist of the Year" by the readers of DRUM! magazine. He is a keynote presenter, trainer, studio and touring musician, composer, and award-winning author. His personable down-to-earth style inspires participants to celebrate life though music and helps them develop better relationships with their fellow students, coworkers, families and friends.

Kalani has received numerous awards for his work and presents workshops and seminars for the International Music Products Association (NAMM), The Percussive Arts Society, The National Association of Music Educators (MENC), The American Orff-Schulwerk Association, The American Music Therapy Association, The American Music Conference, The Los Angeles Philharmonic, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy Foundation), and numerous other state and regional music education organizations.

Kalani is the co-author of the Music Makers program, the first National Music Program for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He is Co-Director of the World Rhythms! Arts Program, which preserves and promotes music, dance and cross-cultural appreciation through educational resources and experiences. (drum2dance.com) He is a featured percussionist on soundtracks and recordings for Disney, Warner Brothers, Tri-Star, Paramount, The Nature Company and Jim Hensen Records. Kalani has performed and/or recorded with such music legends as Kenny Loggins, David Sanborn, Max Roach, Barry Manilow, Vic Damone, John Mayall, Chante Moore, Dr. John, Suzanne Ciani, Melissa Manchester, and is the featured percussionist on the Yanni Live at the Acropolis video and CD. Kalani provides percussion recording services through worldpercussiontracks.com

He has released two CDs of original music, Pangea and Insights, and his new release, Rhythm Spirit, to be released Spring 2010. He has written nine multi-media books for Alfred Publishing including the award-winning Together in Rhythm, The Amazing Jamnasium, All About Congas, All About Bongos, All About Jembe, All About Hand Percussion, Recorders in Rhythm, and the acclaimed, West African Drum and Dance. Kalani has written and produced more than 15 instructional videos and currently has a set of three Percussion DVDs available from MVP home video. He also has web-based drumming lessons available from workshoplive.com.

Kalani works closely with several of the music industries top companies as an instrument and program design consultant. He designed a series of recreational drumming products for the Vic Firth Corporation. Kalani is a certified Orff-Schulwerk educator and Music Therapy Intern. As a pioneer in the field of combining music and wellness, Kalani is the founder and Director of Programs for Different Drummer, an organization that promotes wellness through specially designed programs (differentdrummer.org). Find out more at Kalani's web site (kalanimusic.com).