04/10/2026
Welcome to the Drums Alive Instructor Spotlight!
Every month, we celebrate the instructors who bring Drums Alive® to life in communities across the globe. These dedicated individuals don't just teach classes—they create experiences that uplift, energize, and connect people through the universal language of rhythm and movement.
This series shares the inspiring stories behind the beats: the moments that spark a calling, the participants who make it all worthwhile, and the communities that flourish when passionate instructors create spaces for joy and connection.
This month, we're honored to introduce you to an instructor whose decade-long journey with Drums Alive culminated in a powerful decision: to become licensed and bring this transformative program to a region that desperately needed it. Her classes are the only Drums Alive offering in Northern New Mexico, and her commitment to spreading joy—one "monkey song" at a time—perfectly embodies the heart of our global community.
🥁 This Month's Spotlight: Anna Roybal
Española, New Mexico
This month, we are proud to spotlight Anna Roybal of Española, New Mexico, a passionate Drums Alive instructor who is bringing movement, joy, and connection to her community through rhythm and energy.
Anna has been a licensed Drums Alive instructor for two years, currently teaching Golden Beats once per week at Bridge to Health NM, a fitness facility in Española. While relatively new as a licensed instructor, Anna has been familiar with Drums Alive for nearly 10 years, attending movement residencies in New Mexico and participating in sessions at SHAPE America conferences.
Anna's journey into Drums Alive was inspired by a powerful encounter with Drums Alive creator, Carrie Ekins, during a movement residency. She was deeply moved by Carrie's story, passion, and love for the program, which sparked her desire to become an instructor and share that same energy with others.
What keeps Anna teaching is her commitment to making a positive difference in her community. She describes attending the Drums Alive Conference in Phoenix as an especially meaningful experience filled with joy, enthusiasm, and connection. That positive energy continues to inspire her to spread the love of Drums Alive to her participants.
In addition to offering classes for seniors at Bridge to Health NM, Anna extends her impact by assisting her daughter with a Drums Alive unit at a local elementary school, sharing the experience with younger generations.
Her class is particularly special because it is currently the only Drums Alive class offered in Northern New Mexico, creating a unique opportunity for participants in the region to experience the program.
What Anna loves most about her participants is the smiles on their faces and the energy they feel after class. One moment that perfectly captures her passion involves a participant who absolutely loves a routine set to the "Azumba" song--specially the playful section that mimics the movement and sounds of a monkey. The participant affectionately calls it "the monkey song," and the joy it brings her is contagious. Anna makes sure to include the routine whenever she attends, saying, "Any day with the monkey song is a good day!"
Anna has seen Drums Alive make a meaningful impact on her participants. After each class, they share how much they enjoy the experience and appreciate the full-body workout. The program not only supports physical health but also creates uplifting emotional experiences and meaningful social connections.
Looking ahead, Anna is excited about the continued global expansion of Drums Alive and the opportunity to learn new varieties of movement from instructors around the world. She values the sense of community within the program and appreciates how instructors are continually updated and connected as part of what she calls "one big happy family."
Her advice for new instructors is simple and heartfelt: "Love and enjoy what you do in your classes."
Anna describes herself as full of energy and passionate about encouraging others to stay active and healthy for life. Having lived an active lifestyle herself, she believes she is living proof that movement supports health at any age and she is dedicated to inspiring others to experience that same transformation.
🥁💛
Energy. Positivity. Love.
That's the Drums Alive experience through Anna's rhythm.
Know an instructor whose story deserves the spotlight? We're always looking to celebrate the amazing work happening in Drums Alive communities worldwide! Nominate an instructor or share your own story by replying to this email.
Keep drumming, keep connecting, and keep inspiring.
The Drums Alive Team
