Testimonials

Having mindful drumming guidance from Maria is definitely so much more than just learning how to play the frame drum. Each week I have dived deeper into a healing journey. Maria has guided me to more consciousness, focus, becoming more gentle to myself, and she has taught me how to listen to my inner wisdom. Drumming with intention and using weekly 'themes' like 'listen' provided me with many personal insights. And yes, my technical skills improved rapidly because she looked carefully and precisely at my uploads in the private Facebook area. Besides that, Maria has humor, and it is clear that she puts so much preparation, effort, knowledge, inner wisdom, and love into her lessons. My journey continues.

Jenta Sluijmers

Maria provides not just the space to learn to drum; she gives space for your soul. Every lesson is infused with her kindness, patience, and skill, and you will leave happier for knowing her. I have long loved the drum - listening and dancing to it over many years. And now, because of Maria, I have actually begun to play!

As a total novice - never taken a music lesson in my life - Maria made me feel not only totally comfortable but also capable. After only one lesson, I had skills and was excited to learn more. She is the rare find of being both a master musician and a master teacher. I highly recommend Mindful Drumming!

Janet Farnsworth, MSW. Teacher. Coach. Author.

I found Maria through the women's frame drumming group on Facebook. I was looking for an instructor to help me with a specific part to be performance ready in three weeks. I had not played the frame drum in 25 years! Maria was a patient, kind, and knowledgeable instructor. In just a few lessons, we successfully worked through the material to be ready for the performance and recording. It made all the difference in the world to get the correct instruction. Thank you, Maria.

Karen Vibe

"Mindful Drumming" with Maria reaches levels where our language no longer finds resonance.

One week ago, the "Mindful Drumming" Online Workshop with Maria Bovin De Labbé was completed. What a great course! Maria is not only one of the world's best drummers but also one of the most empathetic on the frame drum. Maria is more than just a teacher; she is a guide who, with incredible empathy, picked me up from where I was right now.

I have learned more from Maria during these two months than in the seven years I played the frame drum. Its excellent didactics can guide you through your blocks and help you solve them carefully. At the same time, you are achieving levels of inspiration and "courage," which simultaneously stimulates a healing process in the interior so that one reaches for one's sources of power.

Even if there are several participants in the course, you feel like getting individual lessons. She lovingly devotes herself to every single question. During the eight weeks, she handed me practical step-by-step tools. I now have a small treasure chest here, from which I can still benefit for a long time after the course and other areas of music.

- I was able to expand the expression of my playing

- I experienced how Maria as a teacher and guide, went the extra mile for me

- I have experienced that drumming is much more than good playing technique, speed, and skill

- I learned how important rest and time are when playing the grooves, how vital breathing is, the concentration on the intention behind the drum, and how important a straight and good posture is when drumming.

- This allowed me to experience the lightness of touch while playing and finding melody in rhythm. I can now dive into my emotions while playing and thus create my compositions and songs from a deep connection.

Maria has opened new gates to my inspiration and music, and I am developing my percussion style. With Maria, one learns very, very, very many fundamentals, and yet precisely enough because "Less is so much more."

It is evident that I have booked the follow-up course, and I am already happy to be able to dive with Maria into the next "circle."

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Heike, Kayo-Matú, Germany

With the desire to develop myself further on the frame drum, I looked for a course and found it in "Mindful Drumming Stars." Maria Bovin de Labbé guided our group through the course with great sensitivity and skill, and I felt that I was in good hands and accepted from the start.

Maria gave us an insight into how she works as a musician and taught us technique, improvisation, and composition on the frame drum. Helpful physical exercises, good warm-ups, and balancing, relaxing meditations complemented and rounded off the lessons. In addition to the zoom lessons, the exchange in the private Facebook group was an essential part of the course. Every day there were small tasks and constructive ideas and inputs, and you were allowed to show your own progress or ask questions.

Maria has always given us a lot of space to look for our way with the frame drum - and to find it! Mindful and attentive, this is not just an expression for her but a lived commitment and is always in the foreground in the course. Thank you, dear Maria, for your great commitment to "Mindful Drumming Stars"!

Susanna Forster

I have studied frame drumming with Maria for the past year, and it has been a wonderful way to improve my drumming skills and get more grounded in my life and business! I started playing drums at 17, following in my father's footsteps, and performing in groups in Hollywood, California, by the time I was 19. I've studied with dozens of teachers and Maria is one of the best I've ever had!

Kris Seraphine-Oster, author, mystic, and mentor. From http://www.mythicrhythm.com/higher-ground-member-spotlight-maria-bovin-de-labbe/)

Maria is a fantastic coach who has greatly helped me in a short time! She has given me valuable mental tools, help, and advice to implement strategies and concrete goals. Maria has, in addition, a distinctive competence which makes her especially fit to guide within the creative field. This, in combination with a unique skill for meeting people, makes Maria the best coach I could have chosen. My dream feels closer than ever.

Guro Høimyr, vocalist and owner of UNIK vocal academy.

Maria Bovin de Labbé has taught drums to my son since 2012. During this period, he has developed tremendously as a musician and person due to her teaching. Maria has a good knowledge of different genres and the ability to transfer the knowledge in a way that has awakened curiosity and interest in the student to expand his repertoire. She motivates to further practice in a way that doesn't seem oppressive but instead inspires one to practice for one's own sake.

Besides being a teacher and inspirator, I believe my son has experienced Maria as an excellent person to speak with themes about his musical development and other areas of life.

Anita Heide