Drum Circle Continues to Deliver Musical Fun

By Jennifer L. Warren

BEACON – Clad in a sporty, black tank top, grey shorts and sunglasses, Tara Cioppa is comfortably situated in her pull-out chair-a water bottle by her side- as she bobs her head to the beat she is picking up on, feeling its vibe and proceeding to create her own contribution, hands cusped as they deliberately-yet freely-tap her drum.

It’s Thursday night, just prior to the sun spectacularly setting on the Hudson River, at Beacon’s Long Dock Park, and Cioppa- surrounded by an entourage of around 50 like-minded participants- is in her happy place. One of the group’s mainstay regulars, she is doing what she looks forward to all week: Being a part of the Beacon Drum Circle. Playing with the group for the past two years, Cioppa purchased her first drum last year and another this year, “to have a complete set to choose from.” The purchases were propelled by the special nature of this Beacon Drum Group.

“I have participated in other area drum circles, and I have noticed we are the only drum circle with a female leader and founder (Stephanie Tuck); drum circles tend to be primarily male-dominated, but my first actual experience playing in a drum circle was with Stephanie, and the vibe is quite different in Beacon,” said the Beacon resident, Cioppa. “Here, we encourage all walks of life and types of people-regardless of age, color, gender; however, in a primarily male-dominated world, Stephanie prioritizes encouraging women to take on not just participatory roles in the drum circle, but leadership ones.”

Cioppa goes on to relate how Tuck will strategically place women in the circular setup, inciting them to create a “superpower group,” seated together. Further, Tuck encourages females to play the “Dun Dun,” the lead drum (accompanied by two other African drums: The Sangban and Kenkeni) traditionally played with sticks and aimed at setting the rhythm and pace for the piece. The end result of Tuck’s diligent approach is a visually appealing cornucopia of genders, styles, sounds and movements that resonate with diversity, equality, and freedom.

It’s the actualization of a vision Tuck, who carries the distinction of being the first ever Black woman drum facilitator in the Hudson Valley, was intent on carrying out when she took on the role in 2020. With deep roots in the craft, Tuck had been drumming with the Woodstock Drum Circle since 2008 before joining the 2013 born Beacon drum contingent in 2016. Since those early years with the Beacon-based crew, Tuck has witnessed some incredulous, dynamic changes.

“When I took over the Beacon Drum Circle, not many people had been attending it-not really a crowd; however, I really worked hard to make it become a community-based group-one with ‘no borders,’ allowing people to come from near and far, all over the east: New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania,” said Tuck, who has resided in Dutchess County for the past 39 years. “This year, it has grown even more, but we have suffered from the heat waves as well as the Wildfires; shockingly, 15 “diehard” people, in their masks, still showed up that week.”

Tuck herself qualifies as one of those “all-weather”- barring tornadoes and lightening- participants. Quick to cite the countless positives that a drum circle provides: community, tolerance, creativity, freedom among them, Tuck is proud of select drummers from the group performing at other Beacon venues, such as the Annual Bonfire Festival. Looking to the future, she envisions more growth, success and sheer joy for all who jump on board.

“Moving forward, I really want to encourage people to come out and just decompress, get a moment away from the hustle of society, escape reality in a good way and simply have a joyful way to meet people of all ages, from all over, and walks of life.”

For Cioppa it’s been nothing but a total win each time she attends. In particular, she is quick to point to the biggest positive that keeps her drumming fever alight.

“What I like the most about the Beacon Drum Circle is the energy it has for the entire two hours that we play; it is exhausting in a wonderful way,” said Cioppa. “You can choose to socialize if you would like to, but it is also perfectly acceptable to put your sunglasses on, close your eyes, and play the rhythms.”

The Beacon Drum Circle convenes at 23 Long Dock Road each Thursday night, from 6:00pm-8:00pm, through the last week of September-first week of October, weather-depending. Starting up again in April through May, the group meets up from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Grab a drum, other musical instrument, or simply bring your curiosity, and check them out.