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Our Direction
Our Purpose, Clearly Defined
The work we do is guided by a clear mission and a bold vision for the future we’re building together.
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who we are
The Drum is the Great Connector
Drumming for Your Life Institute is a non-profit organization based in Downey, CA that uses drumming and rhythm to help struggling kids and adults learn to read with confidence.
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Our Mission
The Drumming For Your Life Institute is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2001 dedicated to using the power of rhythm to help children, youth and adults develop the emotional, academic, and social skills needed to succeed in school and in life.
Children who are not successfully taught reading skills become adults who are functionally illiterate. Young adults who cannot read have limited earning options with poverty or crime as a common result. For these unfortunate individuals, and for the rest of society, these are costly alternatives.
Our History
History of Drumming for Your life Institute / Steven Angel
Steven Angel is the President, Founder, and Program Creator of the Drumming for Your Life Institute (DFYLI), a non-profit organization based in Downey, California.
A recognized musical prodigy, Steven began playing drums at the age of three and made his first public appearance with the renowned Buddy Rich Band at just six years old. By twelve, he was performing with his own band, opening for iconic groups such as Herman’s Hermits and The Animals before audiences of up to 25,000 across the United States and Canada. At sixteen, he recorded an album with Jimi Hendrix’s bassist, Noel Redding, featuring Hendrix himself on one track. After years of performing and touring throughout Europe, Steven stepped away from the spotlight at twenty, eager to find new meaning and purpose beyond his early musical success.
Transitioning into songwriting, Steven’s work appeared in numerous television shows and commercials. In his forties, he rediscovered his connection to drumming, combining his passion for rhythm with an interest in psychology, forming the foundation of his future work in education and mental health.
In 1998, he launched Life Skills Drumming, a program designed to help at-risk youth in juvenile halls and detention centers develop self-awareness, emotional control, and constructive behavior. His innovative approach to behavioral transformation through rhythm has been featured by major outlets, including The Los Angeles Times, CNN, and NBC. The initiative has since expanded to over 100 facilities, including wellness centers, rehabilitation programs, re-entry facilities, and veteran support sites serving individuals affected by trauma, depression, anxiety, dual diagnoses, and homelessness.
Building on this success, Steven developed the Reading & Rhythm program in 2001 after spending four months immersed in an elementary school classroom. The program combines rhythmic training with language arts to improve literacy, academic performance, and classroom engagement. Since 2001, Reading & Rhythm has reached more than 100 schools, libraries, juvenile facilities, wellness & family centers. Additionally, Steven created and led the Rhythm of Learning Professional Development workshops, equipping over 1,200 K–12 educators at over 40 LAUSD schools with effective classroom management and engagement.
Steven’s writings have appeared in Counselor Magazine, Addiction Professional, Annals of Psychotherapy and Integrative Health, and have been reviewed in the Current Research in Complementary & Alternative Medicine Journal. He has also been featured in Marquis Who’s Who in America and Marquis Who’s Who in the World.
A recognized musical prodigy, Steven began playing drums at the age of three and made his first public appearance with the renowned Buddy Rich Band at just six years old. By twelve, he was performing with his own band, opening for iconic groups such as Herman’s Hermits and The Animals before audiences of up to 25,000 across the United States and Canada. At sixteen, he recorded an album with Jimi Hendrix’s bassist, Noel Redding, featuring Hendrix himself on one track. After years of performing and touring throughout Europe, Steven stepped away from the spotlight at twenty, eager to find new meaning and purpose beyond his early musical success.
Transitioning into songwriting, Steven’s work appeared in numerous television shows and commercials. In his forties, he rediscovered his connection to drumming, combining his passion for rhythm with an interest in psychology, forming the foundation of his future work in education and mental health.
In 1998, he launched Life Skills Drumming, a program designed to help at-risk youth in juvenile halls and detention centers develop self-awareness, emotional control, and constructive behavior. His innovative approach to behavioral transformation through rhythm has been featured by major outlets, including The Los Angeles Times, CNN, and NBC. The initiative has since expanded to over 100 facilities, including wellness centers, rehabilitation programs, re-entry facilities, and veteran support sites serving individuals affected by trauma, depression, anxiety, dual diagnoses, and homelessness.
Building on this success, Steven developed the Reading & Rhythm program in 2001 after spending four months immersed in an elementary school classroom. The program combines rhythmic training with language arts to improve literacy, academic performance, and classroom engagement. Since 2001, Reading & Rhythm has reached more than 100 schools, libraries, juvenile facilities, wellness & family centers. Additionally, Steven created and led the Rhythm of Learning Professional Development workshops, equipping over 1,200 K–12 educators at over 40 LAUSD schools with effective classroom management and engagement.
Steven’s writings have appeared in Counselor Magazine, Addiction Professional, Annals of Psychotherapy and Integrative Health, and have been reviewed in the Current Research in Complementary & Alternative Medicine Journal. He has also been featured in Marquis Who’s Who in America and Marquis Who’s Who in the World.
Staff
Office Manager
Elsa Mendoza
Elsa Mendoza is an experienced office manager, seasoned writer, award-winning author, and dedicated certified life coach.With her extensive years of experience managing office operations, assisting, supporting, and collaborating with CEOs, founders, and business owners in different industries, she brings organizational prowess and leadership skills to every task.When not managing the office, Elsa channels her passion for writing into creating inspiring and compelling self-help books and articles to empower others. As a certified Life coach, she guides individuals on their journey to personal growth and fulfillment, helping them unlock their full potential.
Licensed Therapist as Council
Stephen Sideroff, PhD
Dr. Stephen Sideroff is an internationally recognized psychologist, executive and medical consultant and expert in resilience, optimal performance, addiction, neurofeedback, relationships, and mental health. He has published pioneering research in these fields. He is a professor at UCLA in the Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences and the Department of Rheumatology, and director of the Wallenberg Institute of Ethics. He was the founder & former Clinical Director of the Stress Strategies program of UCLA/Santa Monica Hospital and former Clinical Director of Moonview Treatment and Optimal Performance Center.
Dr. Sideroff has presented over 600 seminars and professional training programs nationally and internationally. He has helped establish innovative training and treatment approaches in optimal functioning, mind/body medicine and attention deficit disorder in the US, China, and Europe and conducted cutting edge research in brain and behavior. Dr. Sideroff has written and produced a number of self-help audio programs along with his book, “The Path: Mastering the Nine Pillars of Resilience and Success” which has been hailed as “A true Bible for living in balance and spirituality.” Participants of Dr. Sideroff’s lectures and workshops have said that the experience was “life-changing.
Grant / Contract Specialist
Laura Jane Salvato
Laura Jane Salvato is an Independent Fundraising Consultant, Research Specialist, and Grant Writer with over 25 years’ experience collaborating with diverse clients such as Anne Frank LA, Drumming for Your Life Institute, Ensemble Studio Theatre (NYC and LA), LA Stage Alliance, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Rushmore Festival, Screen Actors Guild Foundation, Skylight Theatre Company, Virginia Avenue Project, The Walther School, more.Ms. Salvato is also an award-winning actor, producer, and theatre administrator. As Artistic Director of Ensemble Studio Theatre-LA for eight seasons, Ms. Salvato nurtured 100 new plays annually and produced 19 premieres (winner GLAAD Media Award, nominee NAACP “Best Producer” Award).Her first produced feature, DOUBTING THOMAS, was nominated for “Best Film” at the Golden Door International Film Festival and won the “Audience Award” at Dances With Films, among other laurels.Ms. Salvato’s acting credits include LIVING OUT LOUD, “Bosch”, “Big Love”, “Judging Amy” (recurring), “ER”, “Faux Baby” (recurring), and numerous national network commercials and dramatic podcasts. Laura won a Dramalogue Award for her portrayal of “Joan” in the Sean Penn-produced play, REMEMBRANCE.She is a graduate of The William Esper Studio and Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.
Our Facilitators
Meet the dedicated minds behind the Mission.
A snapshot of the progress we’ve made with communities, partners, and supporters by our side.
Xavier Marshall
DFYL Drumming Specialist
Xavier Marshall
DFYL Drumming Specialist
- Number :(580) 653-6522
- Email:yourmail@email.com
Peter Kerekes
DFYL Rhythm Specialist
Peter Kerekes
DFYL Rhythm Specialist
- Number :(580) 653-6522
- Email:yourmail@email.com
Eduardo Valencia
Community Outreach Lead
Eduardo Valencia
Community Outreach Lead
- Number :(580) 653-6522
- Email:yourmail@email.com
Gabriel Montes
DFYL Outreach
Gabriel Montes
DFYL Outreach
- Number :(580) 653-6522
- Email:yourmail@email.com
DFYL Board of Directors
Dr. Marvin Southard
A distinguished social work leader with decades of experience in mental health administration, higher education, and serving veterans, military families, and communities throughout Los Angeles.
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Evette Marie De Luca
A community and nonprofit leader with 20 years of experience advancing healthcare access, community health, housing, and social equity through cross-sector collaboration and advocacy.
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Gavin Greenaway
An Emmy Award-winning British composer and conductor with a distinguished career in music, recognized for his work in film and his accomplishments in piano and composition.
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Gregory P. Meisner, Ph.D.
A distinguished physicist and industrial researcher with more than 28 years of experience at General Motors, with over 90 publications, 10 patents, and extensive expertise in advanced thermoelectric technology.
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David Siskin
A strategic marketing and branding leader with decades of experience building companies and global brands, advising major organizations including Apple, McDonald’s, Visa, and United Airlines.
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Alison Graham
A strategic public relations and communications leader with extensive experience building brands, creating innovative campaigns, and increasing visibility for organizations and clients.
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