Greetings from Fred Johnson, Barry Skeete and the Power of Sound!
We would like to provide you with the opportunity to take a look at our profound, new approach
to Positive Interaction Corporate Workshops. The Power of Sound can offer an occasion for
you and your employees to take the time to reduce stress and refresh your outlook in the
workplace.
Research shows that music, dance and the visual arts serve as wellness enhancers.
It has been well documented that many people use their creativity as a way of managing
stress. The Power of Sound is a unique, interactive experience with Fred Johnson
and C. Barry Skeete. Through an innovative combination of music and creative
expression, Fred and Barry provide the opportunity for corporate employees to relieve
stress, learn new relaxation and positive reinforcement techniques as well as have fun
in an inspired, group atmosphere. Once experienced, employees can utilize the new skills
learned in this motivational venue year round, at work or in any other aspect of their lives.
Accompanied by Barry and Fred on drums and a variety of other unusual, international
instruments, participants are encouraged to use their voices to awaken the power of breath
and sound vibration, energizing their bodies and minds. Capturing the essence of sound and
thought, Fred and Barry spontaneously create “sound/art” by sculpting a program of musical
compositions from words or phrases relayed to them from the workshop participants. This
personalizes the beauty of creative thought, demonstrates how we are all capable of
enhancing the quality of our lives through music and reminds us of the power that is held in
our own words, sounds and ideas. Once we tap into what Barry describes as our “rhythm
within”, we open numerous avenues for enriching our lives and contributing to our own well-
being.
The Power of Sound Positive Interaction Corporate Workshops can be presented to
employees as a dynamic, one-session workshop or as a series throughout the course of the
year in a program that is tailor-made to accommodate your unique corporate environment.
The Power of Sound Presenters
C. Barry Skeete has been a music and percussion enthusiast since childhood. Barry has
performed with the Fred Johnson Jazz Group at the Clearwater, FL Jazz Festival in 2000 &
2005, and opened for headliners such as Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Boney
James and Rick Braun. As a duo, Barry and Fred provided the background music for readings
by Deepak Chopra and Coleman Barks and have co-produced countless Sound Sculpture
Improvisational Performances. Barry participated in the Art & Spirituality Festivals and
Community Arts Ensemble held by the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and has provided
percussion for many multi-national musical presentations. A certified Drum Circle Facilitator
and Helmtone Drum Therapy Practitioner, he is affiliated with Vision in Voice with Fred
Johnson, the Sound Body Wholistic Health Center and is an associate artist with the
International Association of Sound, Breath and Healing.
An acclaimed jazz musician and performer, Fred Johnson is a graduate of the National
Academy of the Performing Arts as well as the Master Performers School of the National Mime
Theater. He has recorded and toured worldwide with jazz legends Chick Corea, Richard Elliot,
George Benson, David Sanborn, B.B. King and the great Miles Davis. Currently the Director
of Education and Outreach at the Center for Creative Resources in New York, Fred was for
many years affiliated with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Florida where he served
as both Vice President of Education and Humanities and Artist-in-Residence. His
presentations on the healing power of music have caught the attention of internationally
recognized holistic health practitioners. Mentored by masters of the African oral and
percussion legacy, Fred has been hailed as one of the true guardians of an oral tradition
transplanted and nurtured to create a fusion of cultural heritage that is uniquely American and
inherently African.
The Power of Sound Basics
Listed here are just some of the options available to choose from to create a custom Power of
Sound workshop or series of workshops for your company’s distinct requirements:
1. The Interactive “Circle of Sound” is a powerful drum and voice workshop. In an
informal and interactive setting, participants use their voices to awaken the power of breath
and sound vibration, energizing their bodies and minds. Capturing the essence of sound and
thought, Fred and Barry spontaneously create “sound/art” by sculpting a program of musical
compositions from words or phrases relayed to them from the workshop participants. It is an
opportunity to sing and laugh, and through the creation of this Sound Sculpture, be reminded
of the power and “healing frequency” of one’s own words, sound and ideas. This personalizes
the beauty of creative thought and demonstrates how we are all capable of enhancing the
quality of our lives through music. Participants are also introduced to the idea of rhythmic
reprogramming of negative thoughts and attitudes using positive affirmation repeated in a
simple, rhythmic pattern. This workshop provides the employees with simple, creative tools
with which to battle stress or negativity and encourage a confident, fresh outlook on their
contributions to the workplace.
2. Rhythm, Breath and Sound for Stress Reduction is an intensive workshop
specifically focused on teaching the participants tools for workplace stress management.
Positive affirmations accompanied by a simple rhythmic pattern are used to reprogram
negative thoughts and attitudes with positive. Breathing exercises are taught to the
participants and the importance of conscious breath is discussed. Ideas are provided on how
to surround oneself with visuals that are conducive to a pleasant state of mind while working
and how the sounds around us, from environment to what we actually express when we speak,
affect our performance in the workplace.
3. Sound Immersion allows the participants the opportunity to take a relaxing “time out” on
a spontaneously created wave of music and sound. Using Fred’s incredible vocal skills, quiet
drumming and assorted, unusual instruments from around the world, Fred and Barry will take
ideas from the participants and turn them into soothing, meditative journey for workshop
participants that will leave them feeling refreshed and smiling.
4. “The Rhythm Within” with C. Barry Skeete is a workshop that will teach, explain
and illustrate the basic techniques for playing hand drums, providing the opportunity for
creative expression and rhythmic reprogramming of negative influences in an exciting, joyful
“drum circle” type of atmosphere. The powerful aspect of Barry’s mission goes much deeper
into the roots of our ability to use the drum as a healing tool. Once we tap into what he
describes as our “Rhythm Within”, we open numerous avenues for enhancing our lives and
well-being, our attitudes and the attitudes of those we interact with every day. The driving
force of this workshop is drumming with positive intention using creative, personalized
affirmations. Hand drums are available for the use of up to 15 participants in each “Rhythm
Within” workshop.
Your Company and the Power of Sound
As stated previously, Fred and Barry can provide a tailor-made workshop or series of
workshops that will suit the unique needs of your place of business. Single session workshops
can be provided in either 90 minute or 2 hour timeframes. Multiple session workshops are
usually 1 hour or 90 minutes per session. Discounts are provided when four or more multiple
sessions are scheduled.
Contact Barry for more information
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