The Beat Goes On!
Summary: The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP), a percussion-based program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has relocated to the East Coast after 30 years in California. Founder Eddie Tuduri announces the move to Connecticut, a new partnership with Debbie Major for training, and the launch of "The TRAP Senior Class" at the Ansonia Senior Center. TRAP continues its global mission, focusing on inclusion and education for both special needs and neurotypical populations.
Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I brought you up to speed. Much has happened, so much …
The Rhythmic Arts Project, TRAP, was born and raised in Southern California. The idea came to fruition during my hospital stay, the result of a surfing accident, I broke my neck! The snap, crackle, POP! kept me tranquil, still, and in intensive rehab for six weeks.
I formulated the initial exercises from my hospital bed and then my wheelchair and was able to utilize my fellow patients in its origin, trials, and growing pains. Contrary to the doctor’s prognosis, I walked out of the rehab, with a cane, 0 to 100, in only six weeks. TRAP and I moved into a funky old motor home on an illegal ranch in the hills of Carpinteria, California. This was fun!
TRAP functioned well while based in California for nearly 30 years. Carpinteria and Santa Barbara were home to the program, but we managed to travel the globe from Canada, Europe, Ankara, Turkey, Bulgaria, The Middle East, Thailand, and South America as well as the United States.
Prior to this travel, I spent six years working and studying with Seiko Niimi, Developmental Therapist, and her amazing, knowledgeable staff including a terrific Recreational Therapist, Suzie Getty. Their group was called ‘Club Aspire.’ They engaged nearly 30 students with a plethora of diagnosis. I learned in leaps and bounds; this was like going to school for me. All that I’ve learned, everywhere I’ve been, had its roots in ‘Club Aspire’
After so many years of globe-trotting, moving from country to country and back again, my mind began contemplating Connecticut. It was time to go home. I simply wanted to be there near my loved ones and closer to my roots. I wasn’t playing drums for a living, save for our incomparable TRAP benefit concerts. TRAP could work from anywhere on the planet as we did from California, we would from The East Coast.
Being so far from my family was harder and harder as the years went by. I missed so much of my nephews growing up and then their kids growing up and having kids of their own! They have me up to speed now! I get to see them, hang out, hang in! They drop by and we share breakfasts, dinners, lunches and my favorite, meatballs, of course.
My California friends surmised that something physical must be wrong, other than the current Colon Cancer I was dealing with at the time, which is in remission, and the Throat Cancer that was in my rearview mirror. I had a double hernia operation in my spare time, and my Quadriplegia is accepted as a part of who I am. And then, my age, I have socks older than most of my friends and coworkers, none who can keep up with me so- I’m aging like a fine cigar, and there’s plenty of smoke left, believe me!
Little did I know that drums would provide an exciting career but also be the very core of my creative drive and juices for the better part of my life, on-going.
The Rhythmic Arts Project, TRAP has been working its magic for thirty years now and counting. The next thirty will be based here on The East Coast. I think I’ve made some brilliant choices in the present that will carry well into the future. I made the absolute right decision years ago, partnering with The Pearl Drum Company. TRAP would not have survived, period. We are very close to our Pearl family here in the US as well as in Japan.
Some years ago, I was hired by a lovely, brilliant young lady who was the Founder, CEO, of an innovative program called “Zylophone Studios” in Upstate New York. (“Z” is the correct spelling.) Debbie Major, and most everyone else in her family were a part of this unique learning milieu. It was a perfect fit for TRAP. It simply thrived in her guidance and direction until the pandemic shook us all, many of us to pieces, including Zylophone. TRAP had virtually enough momentum in the world to stay afloat throughout a deplorable and very sad time.
Debbie Major will play a significant role in “The New Adventures of TRAP/ East Coast!” Debbie and I would see each other shortly before I moved back to the East Coast. I was invited to do a TRAP presentation/ training, in Texas. I invited Debbie to join me.
The Presentation was well received, and we made some new friends and met some fun students.I knew I would need significant help when I moved to Connecticut and Debbie came to mind immediately. She knew the program very well, having facilitated it with her students at Zylophone. She also has a good, inspired business mind for the population we serve.
Debbie has twin boys, both with disabilities. Jacob was diagnosed with ASD. Gage was diagnosed with CP and Asperger Syndrome. Debbie is their guiding light, teacher, provider, and the best Mom ever, along with Debbie Cornejo, Dion’s mom of course!
Debbie Major is TRAP’s Executive Assistant/Facilitator/Trainer
Look for my column in next month’s Helen, where I’ll tell you all about Debbie and her boys!
One more newsflash before I leave.
The Rhythmic Arts Project, “TRAP” is everywhere.
In our 30 years of teaching, coaching, and training, we continue to inspire the Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled population every day in many ways, and in many places.
Our curriculum is also working in the neurotypical population as well. In South America they are teaching full academic TRAP courses from tots to teenagers.
Our latest curriculum is:
THE TRAP SENIOR CLASS
This is an exhilarating class for those of us, such as me, in the fourth quarter of shall we say, Love, Life, and the pursuit of … more Love and Life!
I am honored to facilitate this exciting new program here at our Ansonia Connecticut Senior Center.
This class is based on drumming and will use hand drums and percussion instruments.
We will learn to play the instruments and read basic drum music. I will make it easy! Not to worry.
We will learn to play together in Ensemble, each with a different instrument, and then to play and sing along to the likes of “Bo Diddley.”
The program profits in concentration, memory, cardiovascular, range of motion, dexterity, laughter, and pure enjoyment.
I look forward to spreading the word of this far and wide. Let’s share the smiles and laughter that it avails with everyone. Each class ends in a standing ovation, and man, that makes me feel good!
TRAP fosters inclusion, hope, and dreams for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. We encourage parents and siblings to play a role in the learning process. TRAP teaches typical students from all walks of life. Our lessons may be integrated into existing teaching modalities in most grades and classes. TRAP makes learning fun!
We honor and celebrate diversity regardless of disability, religion, race, creed, or ethnicity.
Learn more at traplearning.org
About the Author
Eddie Tuduri is the founder and director of The Rhythmic Arts Project. He is a career musician who has worked with many of the world’s great entertainers, both touring and in countless recordings. Spanning more than 50 years, Eddie was privileged to work and many times record as a sideman with artists including Delaney Bramlett, Bobby Whitlock, The Beach Boys, Dobie Gray, Del Shannon, Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band, Dr. John, Ike Turner, “Boxer,” Ronnie Hawkins, The Down Child Blues Band, “Chilliwack,” The Five Man Electric Band, Wha-Koo, Bill Champlin, Marianne Faithful, Martha Reeves, John Stewart, Steve Perry, Kenny Neal, Tata Vega, Ronnie Laws, Dwight Yoakum, Johnny Rivers, Freddy Fender and Charlie Rich, Michael McDonald, Jimmy Messina and JD Souther to name a few.