"I am writing to thank you for the wonderful day of 'Unbeatable Energy' we experienced on your visit. The whole experience was energising and exciting, inspiring even the most timid of our children to participate fully in the sessions. You were able to relate to all our children, including the very youngest who, at 4 1/2 years of age, have only started in the reception class this term.

We found your style of teaching and presentaion catered for a wide range of learning styles and you modelled, shared with and challenged the children. It was lovely to see the excitement and enjoyment on the children's faces as they responded and contributed to the rhythms and patterns which you and they wove together to make such wonderful sounds.

Thank you so much for sharing your personal 'Unbeatable Energy' with us. It was certainly a day to remember."

Liz Rosser, headteacher
Longwood Community Infant School, Notts

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"We began African Drumming as part of the Sounding Out Project in 2002. From this, we started to have African Drumming sessions after school on Thursdays. Steve Rivers was our teacher, along with Paul Butler. We learned a few different rhythms at this point.

Steves teaching, from the start, helped to inspire us. Soon, we began to make our own drumming compositions. We would show them to Steve, who would help us to turn our ideas into full drumming pieces. He would help us with breaks as well as accompanying rhythms. This was great, as it encouraged us even more.
Eventually, we got very involved into drumming. Our school bought a set of African drums, so that we could play if and when Steve was not available. This also sparked us off with more playing; we go to the music room and play on the drums whenever we can at lunchtime and sometimes after school also.

Thanks to Steve's help, we now get involved in a lot of concerts. We use what Steve has taught us for these. But we do not just do the same routine over and over again; we do quite the contrary. We figuritively rip apart what Steve has taught us and rearrange it into new and interesting sequences.

Even when Steve isn't coming, I look forward to it. It's the highlight of my week."

Usman Year 11 Pupil
Oakwood Technology College

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"Unbeatable Energy was totally inspirational. They are so full of energy, enthusiasm and encouragement and the children couldn't wait to join in with the infectious rhythm of the drums. Children who are normally reluctant to participate found themselves playing away, watching, listening and responding as Steve moved around the group using signals to indicate variations of pace or volume.

The look on our little four year old with no English who had only been in school two weeks said it all. Unable to contain his excitement, he was off his chair drumming ecstatically on a drum almost bigger than himself! This was a way he could communicate without language and he loved every moment!

The whole school throbbed to the beat as each class enjoyed a workshop session and we couldn't believe that Steve could keep up the fast and furious pace. He was still going strong at the end of the day when the parents came along to hear a performance by each class. The parents were amazed with the way Steve handled the children and they were thrilled to see just how much the children had achieved in such a short time.

The whole day was a wonderful experience that the children, staff and parents will never forget and we shall certainly be coming to Steve again."

Jane Clay, Headteacher,
Holt House Infant School, Sheffield

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"Thank you very much for coming to Silverdale and for running the four drumming workshops. It was a really enjoyable time and a learning experience for the students. Thank for your "teaching" points and ideas, which you passed on especially to the Y11 and Y10s, hopefully some of it sunk in!!"

Brenda Curran, Silverdale School, Sheffield

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"On Wednesday a man called Steve came to our school with some African drums. He played some and it was noisy and exciting. The drums were amazing, brilliant, unusual and weird. The drums made a rhythm and a beat. On one he did happy birthday on the drums. The drums vibrated in my heart. Steve also used his self as a drum; I would like him to come again."

Hannah, Class 2, Treeton Primary School

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"I felt my hands jumping back at me
I felt alive
I felt happy
I felt free
I felt wild
I felt like an African child
I never wanted to stop dancing
It felt like the world was underneath my feet
I felt like my whole body was dancing
My heart seemed to be beating the same rhythm as the drums."

African drums, by Lucy aged 8