02/20/2026
Every month, we celebrate the heart and soul of Drums AliveĀ®āour incredible instructors who bring rhythm, movement, and genuine human connection to communities across the globe.
This series is all about the stories behind the beats: the moments that inspire, the transformations that unfold, and the communities that form when passionate instructors create safe, joyful spaces for people to move together.
This month, we're excited to introduce you to a veteran instructor whose nearly decade-long journey perfectly illustrates what happens when creativity, consistency, and compassion come together. From spontaneous cultural celebrations to powerful closing rituals, her classes are proof that Drums AliveĀ® is about so much more than exerciseāit's about belonging.
š„ This Month's Spotlight: Phyllis Taylor
Ypsilanti, Michigan
This month, we are thrilled to spotlight Phyllis Taylor of Ypsilanti, Michigan, a long-time Drums Alive instructor who has been sharing rhythm, movement, and meaningful connection for nearly a decade.
Phyllis is beginning her 8th year as a Drums Alive instructor, teaching 1ā2 Drums Alive classes per week within a university setting, where her classes are offered exclusively to faculty and staff. In an environment often marked by stress, long hours, and sedentary routines, Phyllis brings energy, joy, and movement that helps participants reconnect with their bodiesāand each other.
Her journey with Drums Alive began unexpectedly. On a whim, she signed up for a cardio drumming class with a friend. While her friend wasn't able to continue, Phyllis was hooked. She eagerly looked forward to class each week and found joy in the movement, the music, and the people. That experience sparked something biggerāa desire not just to participate, but to help create that feeling for others. Becoming a certified Drums AliveĀ® instructor was her way of doing just that.
What has kept Phyllis teaching Drums AliveĀ® for so many years is the perfect balance of creativity and support. She loves the freedom to design choreography that reflects her participants' preferences or her own mood, while also appreciating the option to learn fresh, ready-to-use routines from Drums Alive Master Trainers when time is limited.
Over the years, Phyllis has especially valued how Drums AliveĀ® has evolved to strengthen instructor connection. Opportunities to gather in person at the annual conference have allowed her to meet Master Trainers and instructors from around the country and the world creating excitement and deeper relationships that go beyond virtual interaction.
Phyllis serves university faculty and staff, many of whom are new to Drums AliveĀ® and, in many cases, new to consistent physical activity. What she loves most is their willingness to try something unfamiliar and their trust in choosing her class as a starting point for healthier lifestyle changes...something she considers a true honor.
One hallmark of Phyllis's classes is a powerful community ritual: a closing group song, often done in a circle or with partners. Unlike drumming alone, this shared experience requires participants to rely on one another, resulting in laughter, connection, and a reminder that progress, not perfection, is the goal.
One particularly memorable moment came when Phyllis introduced a world beats song that resonated deeply with a participant's cultural background. That participant spontaneously demonstrated the song for the class, soon joined by another participant who also recognized it. These two individuals, who had never really connected before, found common ground through rhythm, creating a beautiful double connection: between each other and with the class as a whole. Moments like this highlight Drums Alive's unique ability to bring people together.
Phyllis has witnessed incredible transformations in her classes, not just physically, but socially and emotionally. Participants who once stood silently, focused inward or on their phones, gradually begin talking, laughing, and forming genuine connections. Through intentional icebreakers and shared experiences, Phyllis helps create an environment where everyone feels included. By the end of each session, a true community has formed. Even the quietest participants are engaged and connected.
Looking ahead, Phyllis is excited about the future of Drums AliveĀ®--especially the opportunity for instructors to formally share choreography with one another, much like the Instructor Share sessions at the 2025 annual conference.
Her advice for new instructors is both practical and heartfelt: "You'll forget moves and make mistakes. Don't let that derail your class. People won't remember what you said or did; they'll remember how you made them feel. Be yourself, laugh at yourself, learn names, build connections. That's what lasts."
Known affectionately as a "dancing and drumming diva," Phyllis brings her love of movement into everything she does. In addition to Drums AliveĀ®, she teaches several fitness formats and enjoys everything from step aerobics and kickboxing to line dancing and partner dancing. In August 2025, she reached a major milestone by earning her ACE Group Fitness Instructor certification, a testament to her dedication to safe, effective, and joyful movement.
Phyllis's passion, professionalism, and heart for connection embody the very essence of Drums Alive. We are grateful for the impact she continues to makeāone beat, one class, and one community at a time.
š„āØ
Energetic. Rhythmic. Inclusive.
That's the Drums AliveĀ® experience through Phyllis's rhythm.
Know an instructor whose story deserves the spotlight? We're always looking to celebrate the amazing work happening in Drums AliveĀ® communities worldwide! Nominate an instructor or share your own story by replying to this email.
Keep drumming, keep connecting, and keep inspiring.
The Drums AliveĀ® Team
