The Vater Percussion / DAD Program Drum Therapy Initiative

Part I of a Special Series

By: Pat Gesualdo
Vater Percussion: Special Education Program Director
DAD Program: President/CEO

As you know, Vater Percussion is dedicated to manufacturing the highest quality drumsticks and percussion accessories. It is also our goal to inform drummers and drum Instructors on the latest advances in percussion education. My role as special education program director at Vater Percussion is to develop Drum Therapy¨sm initiatives, research studies, and programs, and then share them with all of you in the drumming world.

Drum Therapy¨sm is a part of my non-profit organization DAD (Drums and Disabilities), which helps people with Autism, Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, and other disabilities, to develop and expand retention coordination, self-esteem, and physical and cognitive functioning.

In 2004, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Administration helped me launch segments of the DAD Program as a special education pilot program, in several New York City schools and communities. Since then, the DAD Program has become certified by the State Department of Education as a teacher-training program, and has been launched in school systems and communities throughout the world. Drummers, Teachers, and Doctors on a Global basis are a part of the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative, and are becoming certified as official Drum Therapists. Additionally, top celebrities, sports stars, politicians, and major corporations endorse the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative, and join us in helping the special needs community fight disabilities throughout the world.

In this special website series, I will outline the objectives of the Vater Percussion/ DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm initiative. Most importantly, I will inform drummers and drum instructors on how to join us in this very special program, to help the special needs population fight disabilities in their local schools and communities. Members of the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative are entitled to some very special benefits, such as educator endorsements, website referrals and contact information for Drum Therapy¨sm services, free merchandise, great discounts, and other special incentives.

The first segment of this special website series will highlight how I launched the DAD Program, and some of the people and corporations who are involved.

DAD PROGRAM OVERVIEW

DAD (Drums and Disabilities) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization, which helps children with Autism, Dyslexia, ADD, Tourettes, AspergerÕs, ADHD, OCD, and ODD, to develop and expand retention, coordination, self-esteem, and physical and cognitive functioning, in schools and communities throughout the world. DAD also features lectures and workshops on the latest research, advice, and teaching methods, to help parents and teachers raise and teach special needs children.

DAD is certified by the State Department of Education as an official teacher-training program, and has been added to the special education curriculums of numerous schools systems and community outreach programs throughout the world. In 2004, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Administration helped Drum Virtuoso Pat Gesualdo launch segments of the DAD Program, as a special education Pilot Program in several New York City schools and communities. Now, Drummers, Teachers, and doctors throughout the world use Drum Therapy¨sm to help the special needs population develop retention, coordination, self-esteem, and physical and cognitive functioning.

The United States Department of Defense is also providing in-kind technology and networking infrastructure with a value of $1,000,000, to help Pat Gesualdo train Drummers, Doctors, and Teachers, throughout the world, in the Vater Percussion/ DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative.

Numerous Celebrities, Sports Stars, Politicians, and Major Corporations endorse and take part in the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative. Some include Senator Anthony Bucco, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, The WWE Superstars, New Jersey Department of Education, the Star Ledger Newspaper, Coca-Cola, The Morris County Park Police, Hasbro Toys, The NJ Nets, Chevrolet, the NJ Devils, Staples, The NY Giants, Ben & JerryÕs, Borders Books, Liquid Lightning Energy Drink, and WDHA Radio among others.

"We need this program to help children with disabilities," said New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as he wished Pat Gesualdo the best of luck with the DAD Program, as the two spoke on a major radio station recently. "It's absolutely amazing, the kids donÕt want to leave school until they've had the DAD program," said Principal Alexis, from one of the many schools where DAD is featured.

The WWE, and the NY Giants have also made a donation to the New York City Schools, on behalf of the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative. Various WWE and NY Giants Superstars, and several Politicians joined Pat Gesualdo at the Meadowlands IZOD Center, at a live televised WWE event, to announce the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative, and present the donation to New York City School Officials.

The New Jersey Nets also teamed up with the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm Initiative, and held a special event called ÒA Night For The Children,Ó at the Izod Arena in the Meadowlands. This event featured 200 donated tickets by the New Jersey Nets, which allowed special needs students enrolled in the Bergen County school systemÕs Vater/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm initiative, to attend a New Jersey Nets game for free. Additionally, Pat Gesualdo gave the Keynote speech for the City of PhiladelphiaÕs Autism Awareness Month, in Philadelphia PA.

Pat Gesualdo and the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm initiative have been featured in major print, radio, and television, including WABC, the New York Post, CNN, Parents Magazine, the Star Ledger, the Herald News, MTV, Clear Channel Radio Networks, the Daily Record, WDHA, NJN Television Network, VH-1, the Neighbor News, the News Tribune, the WOR Radio Network, the Bergen Record, Wayne Today, Drum Magazine, PASICÕs Percussive Notes, and the NEA TeacherÕs magazine, among other major media.

In the next article will feature an outline on Drum Therapy.¨sm

Please feel free to contact me directly at patges@aol.com if you would like to take part in the Vater Percussion/DAD Program Drum Therapy¨sm initiative, to help the special needs population in your community. Additionally, stop by the PASIC and NAMM Vater booth, to see me in persons. Also, watch for my Drum Therapy¨sm clinic tour.

See you for the next article!!

Sincerely, Pat Gesualdo Vater Percussion: Special Education Program Director DAD Program: President/CEO

OFFICIAL VATER PERCUSSION-PAT GESUALDO WEBSITES:

www.vater.com
www.myspace.com/patgesualdo
www.myspace.com/dadprogram
www.dadprogram.org
www.myspace.com/vaterpercussion

Sincerely,
Pat Gesualdo
Vater Percussion: Special Education Program Director
DAD Program: President/CEO