Tampa, Florida – A music teacher at Lockhart Elementary Magnet School in Tampa helps the school’s drum line prepare for a special performance.
“All I do is teach what I want to do,” says music teacher Kevin Lyons.
Lyons, who is in his mid-50s, says he started playing drums at the age of six and won’t quit anytime soon.
When he moved to Florida, he said it was the first time he had a full-fledged drumline at the entry level.
Lockhart Elementary School’s drum line says its music is the heartbeat of its community.
“Elementary school is a whole other challenge. Of course, we realized that we had to take a whole different approach to these kids, especially the kids in this community,” Lyons said.
He says it takes a lot of training because you have to train yourself enough to practice.
read: Drumline’s incredible performance went viral, they didn’t even use the drums
“These kids are marching too,” he explained. A discipline that enables you to fulfill your role.”
Lyons say drums are a unit of bonding that can be traced back to various African countries where they were used for communication.
“When we’re playing, we tell them we’re communicating with the community. The little things we play touch someone’s psyche. That’s what the drums do. Touch your psyche.” Please, touch your soul.”
read: Air Force Academy cadet dies after receiving emergency medical care during class
“Our drumline here at Lockhart needs to match the heartbeat of our community…We talk about Martin Luther King Jr., who was called a drum major for justice. We all know that we fought not just for justice, but for justice: for blacks, for people of color, but for everyone.
It takes discipline to be part of the Lockhart Elementary drum line.
“The purpose behind our performance was to show our community how much we love what we do, equality, peace, respect, honor and upheld by Martin Luther King. In all endeavors, we want to leave the community with love.”
Students will perform the 37th Annual Plant City MLK on Saturday and the Tampa MLK Parade on Monday.
