High-Energy Experiences that Bring Groups into Sync Within Minutes
About Us
Drum Cafe USA is a pioneer in experiential team building, delivering high-impact, interactive drumming programs that energize, unify, and transform. With roots in South Africa and a presence in over 60 countries, we’ve led more than 50,000 events worldwide—from corporate retreats to global conferences, from onboarding sessions to healing and wellness initiatives.
We don’t just entertain. We create a shift. A shared rhythm. A powerful moment of connection.
High-energy experiences that bring groups into sync within minutes
Our Leaders
Jo-Ann Radus, Founder
Jo-Ann Radus, Founder Jo-Ann Radus, born in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a founding member of Drum Cafe and a pioneer in bringing its rhythmic team-building experiences to the U.S. since 2002.
With a Master’s in Industrial Social Work and a background in corporate wellness and mental health, she blends music, movement, and insight to create powerful programs that foster collaboration and inspire transformation.
Jo-Ann has worked with global audiences across industries—including Microsoft, Coca-Cola, CNN, and GE—and has been featured on CNN, Good Day Atlanta, and South African Broadcasting.
Aviva Nash, Founder
Aviva Nash, Founder
Dale Monnin, Founder
Dale Monnin, Founder Dale Monnin is a founding member of Drum Cafe USA with over 20 years of experience leading transformative programs for more than 1,000 organizations and over a million attendees worldwide.
A former IBM executive with an MBA in International Business, Dale combines his corporate background with a lifelong passion for drumming to drive high-impact outcomes in leadership, change, and teamwork.
His global perspective—shaped by work across four continents—and ongoing Ph.D. studies in Organizational Development and Change further amplify the depth and value he brings to every engagement.
Our Team
Paul Dellareo
Multi-Percussionist
Ibrahima Dioubate
Master Drummer & Facilitator
Shabi Ompomwe Ogulano
Multi-Percussionist
Lisa Millard
Production & Office Manager
Mangue Sylla
Master Drummer and Facilitator
Andrew Algire
Multi-Instrumentalist and Production Manager
Moussa Drame
Master Drummer and Guitarist
Fara Camara
Master Drummer
AJ Flores
Multi-Percussionist
Alseny Sylla
Master Drummer
Aboubacar Sylla
Master Drummer
Noah Mosgofian
Multi-Percussionist
Nina Rodríguez
Multi-Percussionist and Facilitator
David Montalvo
Multi-Percussionist and Facilitator
Our Legacy
Our Legacy
Healing Through Rhythm
Drum Cafe USA began in post-apartheid South Africa, where music became a tool for healing and rebuilding trust across a previously divided workforce. What started as a way to unite people through rhythm soon grew into a global approach to team connection.
Drum Cafe USA began in post-apartheid South Africa, where music became a tool for healing and rebuilding trust across a previously divided workforce. What started as a way to unite people through rhythm soon grew into a global approach to team connection.
Drawing on these powerful roots, Rhythm at Work was created to bring that same energy to organizations across the U.S.—offering immersive, hands-on experiences that break down barriers, energize teams, and foster real collaboration.
Since 1998, we’ve helped thousands of teams move beyond routine interaction to create shared moments of rhythm, unity, and forward momentum.
Our Mission
Our Mission
We succeed when your team walks away as one.
Our goal is simple: to help teams feel connected, collaborative, and fully seen—where every voice is part of the pulse.
Through rhythm, we break down barriers, build trust, and spark innovation. Each experience is tailored to meet your goals—whether it’s energizing a kickoff, closing a summit, or aligning a leadership team around a shared beat.
Why Rhythm
Why Rhythm
Because humans are hard-wired to groove. Group drumming is the original team-building tool. Across cultures and centuries, rhythm has been used to celebrate, communicate, and unite.
Most powerfully, rhythm shows up in our relationships. In every organization, success is built on relationships—and rhythm is the language of relationship. When teams drum together, they don’t just hear the beat—they become it.
Rhythm is a universal language—innate, instinctive, and shared by all.
The Science Behind Group Drumming
increase in positive emotions and inner calm after a single group drumming session.
reported feeling more connected to their colleagues and part of a shared purpose.
experience needed.
Drumming requires no training—making it a fast and highly effective team-building tool.
Drum Cafe USA
Dr. Dale Monnin—one of the founding leaders of Drum Cafe USA—explored the impact of large-group drumming in the workplace in his 2023 doctoral dissertation, The Impact of Large-Group Drumming Events at Work on Employee Emotions.
Group Drumming
His research confirmed what we’ve witnessed in the room for years: group drumming doesn’t just entertain, it transforms. Even a single 60-minute session led to a measurable boost in emotional well-being, helping employees feel more energized, connected, and present.
His research confirmed what we’ve witnessed in the room for years: group drumming doesn’t just entertain—it transforms.
Even a single 60-minute session led to a measurable boost in emotional well-being, helping employees feel more energized, connected, and present.
Participants
Participants reported lower stress, stronger team bonds, and a renewed sense of purpose, regardless of role or background. The experience required no musical training and proved highly inclusive, scalable, and cost-effective, making it a standout solution for organizations seeking real, lasting engagement. Backed by data and decades of field experience, this research affirms that rhythm is more than a metaphor, it’s a catalyst for culture, connection, and change. Read the full study
Participants reported lower stress, stronger team bonds, and a renewed sense of purpose—regardless of role or background.
The experience required no musical training and proved highly inclusive, scalable, and cost-effective, making it a standout solution for organizations seeking real, lasting engagement.
Backed by data and decades of field experience, this research affirms that rhythm is more than a metaphor—it’s a catalyst for culture, connection, and change.
COMPANIES WE’VE WORKED WITH
Next Steps
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we’ll propose a custom format that fits your audience and
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