Drum facilitator Patrick Carrick of Rhythm By Nature brings the beat to the Crowsnest Pass with an inclusive, community-powered drumming experience. Carrick’s interactive events focus on connection, creativity and joy—no experience required. His next session is set for April 9 at the Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery.
Nicholas L. M. Allen
Apr 2, 2025
Interactive community drumming event aims to bring joy, connection and rhythm to all
What if all it took to feel more connected, energized and joyful was a drum in your lap and a beat in your chest?
That’s the kind of transformation Patrick Carrick has seen again and again through Rhythm By Nature, his community-driven drumming initiative that’s bringing its inclusive rhythm experience back to the Crowsnest Pass on April 9 from 7 to 8:45 p.m.
“I’ve seen people walk into a session feeling stressed, withdrawn or uncertain—then leave glowing, energized and connected,” said Carrick, “If I’ve done my job right, by the end their eyes are closed, their smile is wide, and they’re in their heart.”
Carrick, a lifelong musician, has played drums in bands, studios and on tour, but it wasn’t until he discovered the power of improvised group drumming that he saw rhythm’s true potential to unite people. In 2016, he founded Rhythm By Nature to make drumming accessible, meaningful and transformative for everyone.
The Integrative Community Drum Circle model he uses is intentionally inclusive. It draws on no single tradition, rhythm or cultural practice, making it welcoming to all. Rather than focusing on technical skill, it celebrates creativity, diversity and playfulness.
“It’s not about who’s the best drummer in the room. It’s about empowerment and exploring our own internal rhythms,” said Carrick.
Drumming, he believes, is fundamentally human. It exists in every culture and has been used for millennia for celebration, healing, storytelling and communication.
“Rhythm is everywhere,” he said. “It’s in the sunrise, the tides, the seasons, our breath. Every culture has used it to connect.”
Each session is tailored to its audience. School groups get playful sessions linked to emotional learning, while corporate teams use rhythm to build collaboration and relieve stress. At wellness retreats, sessions focus on mindfulness and self-expression, while festival events bring high-energy spontaneity.
“The core principles remain the same,” he said, “but I shape the experience to meet the group’s needs.”
The upcoming Community Drumming Experience in the Pass will be no different.
“Whether you’ve drummed before or not, you’ll be welcomed into a space where you can play, connect, and experience the joy of collective music-making,” Carrick said.
Since founding Rhythm By Nature, Carrick has expanded his work to reach communities across the Columbia Basin and beyond, supported in part by Columbia Basin Trust’s CKCA program. With his second CKCA-funded tour launching this spring, he hopes to reach more people and deepen the impact of rhythm.
“The goal is simple: to create unforgettable rhythmic experiences and help individuals feel empowered,” he said.
He’s also trained with Circles of Rhythm and Rhythm2Recovery, which he says helped shape his facilitation style to be both structured and flexible.
“Drumming is for everyone. No experience is needed—just a willingness to show up and be part of something bigger than yourself,” Carrick added.
For Carrick, rhythm isn’t just an art form—it’s medicine.
“If you can take someone from a state of fear to a state of joy, it can do wonders for the spirit,” he said, “That’s why I’m on a mission to share this experience with as many people as possible.”
More information about the drum circle group can be found at rhythmbynature.ca and tickets for the April 9 show at the Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery are available at tickettailor.com.
