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Latest News
Whats new with DFYL?
The work we do is guided by a clear mission and a bold vision for the future we’re building together.
Insights
The Drum is the Great Connector
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Years operating
2026
DFYLI Featured on Spectrum News 1!
We’re thrilled to share that Drumming for Your Life Institute (DFYLI) was spotlighted as an Everyday Hero on Spectrum News 1, which aired on February 16, 2026!
2026
New LAUSD Partnership Launch!
We’re excited to announce that Horace Mann UCLA Community School has officially launched DFYLI’s Reading & Rhythm program on February 17, 2026 helping students connect literacy, learning, and rhythm!
2026
CalMHSA Grant Expands Our Reach
Thanks to the grant from the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), DFYLI started February with its Life Skills Drumming program at Casa Pacoima, a network of Promotoras Vision Y Compromiso. The Reading & Rhythm and Life Skills Drumming programs at the Long Beach Mental Health Center start this March.
2026
Supporting Los Angeles Young Adults at Progress Place
DFYLI’s Life Skills Drumming program is now underway at Progress Place, a Jovenes Inc. site that supports young adults experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles using rhythm to inspire confidence, focus, and healing.
2025-2026
DFYL Receives Continued support and new funding for 2025-2026
Expanding Impact Across Schools, Juvenile Facilities, and the Homeless Community
Drumming for Your Life Institute (DFYLI) is proud to announce that we have received renewed and new funding from multiple partners for the 2025–2026 fiscal and school year to expand our Reading & Rhythm and Life Skills Drumming programs.
- Drumming for Your Life Institute (DFYL) is honored to be selected as an awardee of the CALMHSA (California Mental Health Services Authority) and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) ARISE Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Grant Program. With this award, DFYL will be able to strengthen and extend its Reading & Rhythm and Life Skills Drumming programs—initiatives proven to enhance self-regulation, confidence, and social-emotional learning among participants. Drumming for Your Life Receives LACDMH ARISE Prevention and Early Intervention Grant. This recognition reflects DFYL’s ongoing commitment to using rhythm, creativity, and connection to support the emotional well-being and personal growth of youth and communities across Los Angeles County.
- In addition, DFYL is honored to be the recipient of a grant from the Elizabeth R. Koch (ERK) Foundation to launch our Reading & Rhythm and Life Skills Drumming programs to individuals experiencing homelessness with dual diagnoses in the Los Angeles area. We invite you to imagine the first drum circle, a place of connection and hope. Join us in expanding this rhythm of hope, helping us take these transformative experiences to more communities in need. Downey nonprofit among dozens to receive Koch Foundation grants
- The Los Angeles County Probation Department has awarded DFYL a contract for 2025–2026 to bring both programs to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall and the Dorothy Kirby Center. These programs continue to provide youth in the juvenile system with powerful tools for emotional regulation, literacy improvement, and personal growth through rhythm and drumming.
- Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) has renewed its partnership with DFYL for another school year at Jonas Salk High School, continuing our mission to help students strengthen reading fluency, comprehension, and self-confidence through the power of rhythm.
- iLead Antelope Valley Hybrid School has also renewed its contract with DFYL for the 2025-2026 school year, expanding the positive outcomes we've seen in previous years in both reading and social-emotional learning.
Drumming for Your Life Institute is deeply grateful for the continued trust and support of our partners and funders. Together, we’re making a difference—one rhythm at a time.
2025-2026
Drumming for Your Life Institute Presents at CIBHS Annual Conference
Highlighting the Success of the Reading & Rhythm Program
DFYL Founder and President Steven Angel recently presented at the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) Annual Evidence-Based Practices and Community-Defined Evidence Practices Conference on September 25, 2025 at the Marriot Hotel, Burbank.
In his PowerPoint presentation titled “How Literacy Impacts Mental Health”, Steven shared insights on the design, research, implementation, and proven success of the Reading & Rhythm program, which continues to demonstrate measurable improvements in reading fluency, comprehension, emotional regulation, and classroom engagement.
The presentation drew strong interest from educators, behavioral health professionals, and community leaders eager to explore how rhythm-based interventions can transform learning and emotional wellness.
2024-2025
The Los Angeles Department of Mental Health under the Transforming L.A. Initiative added a 4th year to our contract and increased our budget to $400,000.00.
The Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) in June extended its contract with Drumming for Your Life for four more years and even doubled the amount. This extension means more people will be helped and benefit from the programs.
Through a grant from the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), Drumming for Your Life held its main event on May 16, Creating the Community and Life You Want Drum Circle, at Grand Park, where 250 people from all walks of life came together to find common purpose. Billed as the largest drum circle in Los Angeles history, politicians and head medical officers from county departments highlighted the importance of drumming for mental health support and there was a performance by the Queen of Percussion, Sheila E. Drumming for Your Life received a Commendation from all the head politicians of L.A. County. Here’s the link to the film.
Channel 5 News featured the event three times. Channel 4 News also featured the event.
Drumming for Your Life programs provided at Littlerock High School in Lancaster and iLEAD Antelope Valley Hybrid School showed dramatic increases in both fluency and comprehension scores. Its success sparked the interest of Channel 7 News, and so they came to iLEAD Antelope Valley Hybrid Charter School to film our Reading & Rhythm program for their SoCAl Strong segment.
Drumming for Your Life has reached the end of its third highly successful year through the Transforming LA Initiative, where over 1,000 adults and k-12th grade students per year benefited. Many adults suffering from dual/diagnosis and homelessness, students who have fallen behind in school, and those second language learners showed great strides in healing and increasing test scores.
Drumming for Your Life will be leading 21 Creating the Life and Community You Want Drum Circles throughout Los Angeles County during May and June's LACDMH's Take Action L.A. Click on link to find an event near you. Visit LA County Mental Health Month website for more information.
2021-2024
Drumming for Your Life is excited to start our Life Skills Drumming program at the Weingart Center in downtown Los Angeles. We’ll be working with high control offenders.
Through our contract with Transforming L.A. we’re working with ALMA Family Centers, Men’s and Women’s Reintegration Centers, N.E. Mental Health Wellness Center, The Center in Hollywood, Hollywood/Wilshire Public Health Center, L.A. Public Library & St. Alphonsus School
UCLA research started in September with our Life Skills Drumming program at N.E. Mental Health Wellness Center.
We welcome our newest board member Dr. Joan Bravo and facilitator Alberto Lopez to our team.
We’re starting Reading & Rhythm programs at Little Rock High School and iLEAD Antelope Valley Hybrid.
Forward Thinking Virtual Summit put on by The Network for Social Work Management – We are leading The Pulse of Mindfulness Workshop on June 14th from 1:15-2:15pm. Go to https://socialworkmanager.org for more info.