My journey really began when I first heard about the organization Music for People. Being honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what the organization was all about. However, in May 2022, I felt really inspired to attend their Improvisation for All workshop hosted at Molloy College. The world was beginning to reopen, and the desire for social reconnection was stronger than ever. I was also eager to learn how to play my djembe alongside melodic instruments, secretly holding on to the dream of being in a band someday!
What really drew me in was the workshop description. It emphasized creating a safe space where participants could reconnect with a childlike sense of playfulness, joy, and curiosity through music-making. I loved the idea of learning how to play with others rather than simply learning how to play an instrument. Through instrumental exploration, vocalization, and expressive body movements, participants were encouraged to experiment, connect, and discover music together in a fun, supportive environment.
After experiencing that weekend, it became clear that their approach to music-making was truly multilayered. The ability to connect and create music with strangers within seconds was profound. It was an experience that felt healing and empowering for everyone involved, demonstrating how music can transcend words and foster an immediate sense of connection, trust, and community. The experience completely shifted my perspective on how music-making could be approached. My reflections on that weekend ran deep, taking me all the way back to my elementary and junior high school years.
Laura Cerrano Drumming and singing with toddlers at the Skirball Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Throughout that time, I was labeled as having a learning disability, a broad term that can encompass a wide range of learning differences and challenges. In my case, the guidance I received from the specialists involved in developing my Individualized Education Program (IEP) was to avoid music classes. They believed my ability to comprehend music was limited and that I should focus instead on the fine arts.
Even though I heard these comments during school meetings, something in me seemed to filter them out. My attraction to music was simply too strong to ignore. I took it upon myself to explore playing the drum kit throughout my middle and high school years, following my curiosity despite the limitations others had placed on my musical abilities. During college and throughout my adult life, that connection to music continued to grow. I participated in numerous drum circles and attended West African drumming classes, continuing to explore rhythm, sound, and the experience of making music with others.
This brings me back to the Improvisation for All weekend workshop at Molloy College in 2022. Within less than a year of attending my first Music for People workshop, new opportunities began unfolding that allowed me to immerse myself more deeply in the world of music. It felt as though the universe was opening doors, inviting me to take what I had experienced and learned and begin sharing it with others.
Laura Cerrano Facilitating a Wellness Drum Circle for the Parker Jewish Institute Dementia and Alzheimer’s population and their care givers.
My very first official drum circle engagements involved working with various Bristal Assisted Living communities and the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation. These experiences introduced me to working with individuals living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, while also offering support and connection to their caregivers. The opportunity to work with these populations was incredibly rewarding, but it also brought a degree of anxiety. I wanted to show up in a meaningful and supportive way, and I recognized that I needed more structure, training, and guidance to understand how best to facilitate music experiences for these specific populations.
With that in mind, I enrolled in Music for People’s three-year program. As I continued providing these wellness services, I found reassurance in knowing that I had a community of mentors and fellow musicians supporting me along the way. Having access to that mentorship, guidance, and encouragement gave me greater confidence and the courage to step into new opportunities and say “yes,” even when I was still learning.
Drum Circle for Teen Suicide Prevention, Molloy College, NY - 300 Person Event - Facilitated by Laura Cerrano
To further expand my training and gain real-world experience, I began connecting with public libraries throughout Long Island, New York, and the surrounding tri-state region to facilitate improvisational drum circles for adults, seniors, teenagers, and children. Drawing on the techniques I was learning through Music for People, I created opportunities for people of all ages to explore music-making in an interactive, supportive, and playful environment.
Over time, I saw a growing demand for these kinds of social and emotional music-making experiences. People were looking for meaningful ways to connect with others, express themselves, and experience the joy of creating something together. Through these drum circles, I was able to bring the principles of improvisation, connection, and creative exploration to diverse communities.
The responses have been incredibly heartwarming. Attendees often share comments such as, “I had no idea how healing music could be!” Others have expressed how empowering, joyful, and fun it is to create music collectively in the moment. Witnessing these realizations is a beautiful reminder that music-making doesn't have to be about technical skill or prior experience. It can be about connection, self-expression, spontaneity, and discovering what becomes possible when we create together.
Laura Cerrano on percussions for Dan Strauss and Friends Summer Sundays performance in Jackson Heights, NY
Today, I work with diverse populations across Long Island, New York City, and beyond, facilitating music-making experiences for a variety of occasions both nationally and internationally. In 2025, I was honored to receive an endorsement from REMO, and more recently, I joined the Music for People Board of Directors. These milestones represent meaningful steps in my journey, bringing me full circle to the organization that helped transform my relationship with music and inspired me to share its power with others. As for playing in bands, yes, I’ve been invited to play percussion in three of them. When it comes to playing in bands, I’ve been fortunate to receive invitations to play percussion with three different groups.