Please contact me if this is your first visit to the backyard stage. Please let me know if you do not have your own drum, will be happy to provide a loaner.

This is a small group activity, we practice safe distancing and encourage the use of masks, for the safety of all participants. All participants should be current on the recommended vaccination schedule for Covid-19.

No prior drumming experience is needed. If you have a favorite drum or other percussion tool, please bring it. Please contact me for directions after you sign up, ahead of the event. The activity will include call and response, basic counting and is open to adults of any age. Please dress for outdoor weather.

Our drumming circle leader Farahnaz Mazandarani, RN, PHN has been facilitating small group drumming for more than 15 years. Farahnaz has worked in health care and rehabilitation, uses drumming as a complement to her holistic approach to health and wellness. In 2019, Farahnaz led drumming circles for high schoolers at Miramonte, here in Orinda.

Farahnaz is the founder of Project Joy And Health, a consulting service for individuals and organizations that is focused on integrating healthy practices into every day life. You can reach Farahnaz at 415-683-7524, or email Projectjoyandhealth@gmail.com

Project Joy and Health

We will provide shade and a safe environment, and the group size is limited in view of the need to keep distancing. We recommend that you bring your own water bottle, wear comfortable shoes, the space is a roughly finished backyard, the ground is uneven.

Drumming circle participation helps build community, promotes many health benefits for body and mind, reduces stress responses and improves immune function.

SunJams is a nonprofit (Tax ID 47-4435137), we support music education in under-resourced public schools as a science based means to address students' achievement. We believe that is this a simple and effective way to begin to address prevailing social inequities. SunJams fundraising model is based on promoting live music experiences as a direct benefit to participants and as a means to support our funding efforts. Donations to SunJams are tax deductible.

The suggested donation for participants in this activity is $10, we appreciate donations of any amount. A $25 donation gets you a sample of our all organic, sun cooked, small batch apricot jam ( while supplies last). Payment can be made via Venmo or Paypal, make donations to

sunjams.org@gmail.com