Freedom Dance and Music with Mel

27/01/2026

Our Senior Adult Djembe Drum Circle class commences in Glenbrook on Monday 2nd February!

This class has been specifically designed with senior adults in mind. The first 25 minutes of the class is a more traditional drum circle, that involves learning basic djembe techniques and rhythms, plus learning polyrhythms, (where half the group play one rhythm, while the other group plays a different rhythm - sounds amazing!) and we also explore individual and whole group drumming improvisation activities!

The last 20 minutes of the class involves drumming along to some brilliant 60’s and 70’s tracks! (You might find they’re mostly 60’s tracks because I am a huge fan of 60’s music!). In this part of the class we do a couple of brain training rhythms, which involves drumming repetitive rhythms and crossing the mid-line of the body (e.g right hand crossing over to the left side of the body/drum). I also lead playing some rhythms that suit the beat or rhythm of each song and reflect changes in the verses and chorus etc. Then for our last song, everyone improvises their own drumming rhythms that suit the beat/rhythm of the song!

There are so many benefits from engaging in a djembe drum circle - keeping your mind and body active, enhancing memory, opportunities to socialise, developing friendships, developing your creativity, learning a musical instrument and boosting your mood!

This class is priced at a reduced rate for seniors and you can privately arrange a payment plan if needed. The class is a term enrolment and follows the school terms. But you’re welcome to come along to a trial class, before deciding to enroll for the term. For more info or to book your spot, contact Mel on 0438 802 922 or send me a private message through my page Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

22/01/2026

Our Early Childhood Music and Movement class commences in Glenbrook on Monday 2nd February!

This class is suitable for children aged 1 to 5 years and each activity can be modified to suit the developmental level of each child.
We follow a predictable structure, which allows the children to build confidence and decreases anxiety. But within the structure there is a lot of freedom for individual expression, through the way children interact with their dance props and musical instruments and the way they move in response to the music.
There are opportunities to use djembes (African drums), hand-held percussions instruments (tapping sticks, maracas etc.), a variety of individual dance props (ribbon sticks, scarves etc.), plus larger dance props for whole group circle dances (lycraband, parachute and Octaband).
This class is designed for children and their parent/caregiver and is a great opportunity for spending quality time with your little one, whilst participating in a fun and creative activity!
There are so many benefits from engaging in a music and movement class - exploring musical concepts, developing communication skills and social skills, developing creativity, increasing confidence, learning to follow instructions, spatial and body awareness, developing friendships, plus its so much fun!
Sibling discounts are available and non-walking siblings can participate for free. Places are limited to ensure a quality experience for everyone. Book in a trial class, or to avoid missing out on a spot, you can enrol for the term without a trial class. Contact Mel on 0438 802 922 or send a PM to Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

12/01/2026

New location for 2026 - Glenbrook!!
Early Childhood Music and Movement class - 10:30am Mondays and Senior Adult Drum Circle class 11:30am Mondays!
Classes commencing in February. Secure your spot by enrolling now, or book in a trial class!
Sibling discounts and Seniors discounts available. Contact Mel on 0438 802 922 or send a PM to Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

13/12/2025

Looking forward to facilitating community drum circles tonight at the Night of Lights in Katoomba!!🎄

AND THERE'S MORE !
Not only will there be live music, craft activities, face-painting, and drumming circles (all free) at this year's Night of Lights, you'll also be able to browse for homemade gifts from local artists such as ...

MOUNTAINS WILD PLANT RESCUE
A local, not-for-profit volunteer run charity that rescues and propagates local native bush plants. By planting these in our gardens we can all help to sustain our local wildlife populations and our amazing local biodiversity.
For sale on the night: small native plants in tubes ($5 each), larger pots and Jenny Kee- designed logo T-shirts($25 each).
www.wildplantrescue.org.au

CARMEN JEWELLERY
Handcrafted with love. A collection of unique pieces - wire wrapped gemstones and one of a kind designs, made to inspire and empower.
instagram.com/maria_carmen_jewellery

BEES
Fun Stickers, Magnets, Totes, T-shirts, Pencil Case/Cosmetic Bags and Rompers - perfect stocking fillers!
https://www.facebook.com/BusyBeesWorkshopAus

ART
Arts and craft pieces made with resin, inspired by the ever-changing colours at different times of the day.
https://www.facebook.com/debzart860

A NIGHT OF LIGHTS NOT TO BE MISSED!

22/07/2025

Early Childhood Dance and Music class! 10:30am to 11:00am Mondays at Caddens (Penrith). Suitable for children aged 1 to 5 years and their parent or caregiver. Djembes, hand-held percussion instruments and lots of beautiful dance props! Great venue! Across the hall from the child-friendly Clementine’s Cafe.
Trial classes and sibling discounts available. Limited vacancies in this class. For more info or to book a trial, send a text to 0438 802 922 or a PM to Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

21/07/2025

Senior Adult Djembe Drum Circle class 11:30am-12:15pm Mondays at Caddens (Penrith)! 30 minute traditional djembe drum circle with poly rhythms, call and response rhythms and improvisation, 15 minutes of drumming along to 60s and 70s music! Such a fun class!
The class was originally 30 minutes, but everyone in the class requested that it increase to 45 minutes! Great venue - just across the hall from Clementine’s Cafe - so everyone has lunch together after the class. Book in your trial class today! Text Mel on 0438 802 922 or send a PM to Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

06/07/2025

I’m now officially a Certified Movement Practitioner for the Dance Health Alliance’s DanceMoves and DanceWise senior adult dance programs!! Check out their website for a description of their evidence-based programs (and look out for my bio and a few photos of me participating in my training earlier in the year) www.dancehealthalliance.org.au 💜

18/05/2025

Week 4 of our Seniors Drumming Class tomorrow! 11:30am to 12:00pm Mondays at Caddens (Penrith).
Absolutely loving my Senior Adult Drumming class and so are they! I asked them which activity they enjoyed the most and the answer was a collective “ Everything!” Their only complaint was that they want the class to be longer ☺️
The class has been specifically designed for seniors - the first half of the class involves a more traditional djembe drum circle, involving polyrhythms, call and response rhythms and some improvisation. The second half of the class involves playing djembe rhythms along to 60’s and 70’s classics!
We are using a great venue at Caddens! Lots of parking, wheelchair access, quiet area, plus the beautiful Clementine’s Cafe is just across the hall! Most of the participants go across to the cafe together for lunch after the class.
At this stage there are some vacancies in the class. Trial classes and Seniors’ discounts available! 💜 Freedom Dance and Music with Mel

06/02/2025

So good to be back for our first week of classes for the year! Such a great start the term with our Early Childhood Dance and Music Classes at Caddens and Katoomba and our Primary School Drum and Dance class at Katoomba! Lovely to see lots of familiar faces after a long break and meet lots of new families too!
I love seeing the long-term families being so welcoming to the new families and inviting them to socialise after the classes! The venues have been specifically chosen for this purpose and so many families have developed friendships through the classes. I love hearing that the children are now attending each others’ birthday parties and are catching up during the holidays!
The Caddens classes have the very child-friendly Clementine’s Cafe across the hall and the Katoomba classes have a beautiful children’s playground with a bush backdrop attached to the building. Looking forward to welcoming more families to the Freedom Dance and Music community throughout the term!

Community Freedom Creativity 💜

29/01/2025

Limited vacancies in our Early Childhood Dance and Music combo classes! Mondays at Caddens, Thursdays at Katoomba. Suitable for children aged 1 to 5 years.
Limited vacancies in our Drum and Creative Dance combo class! Thursdays at Katoomba. Suitable for children aged 5 to 10 years.
Now taking enrolments for our new Seniors Dance classes (seated class and seated to standing class available) and our new Seniors Djembe Drum Circle classes! Mondays at Caddens, Thursdays at Katoomba. Suitable for the young at heart - aged 50+ years 😊
For enquiries and enrolments contact Mel 0438 802 922 Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

24/01/2025

New Seniors Dance Classes and Seniors Djembe Drum Circle Classes! Caddens (Penrith) and Katoomba!

Evidenced-based Dance Classes using the Dance Health Alliance’s ‘Dance Wise’ seated dance program and the ‘Dance Moves’ seated to standing dance program!!

Experience the joy of a dance class by exploring various movement qualities and personal expression through creative movement, but also the added benefits of improving your memory and developing strength, balance and coordination!

Experience the joy of learning the djembe! We will explore call and response rhythms and polyrhythms, plus individual and group improvisation and some fun drumming games! We will also incorporate hand-held percussion instruments to add some extra flavour to the djembes!

All Dance and Drum classes are facilitated in a circle to promote social connection. The venues have also been specifically chosen to provide opportunities to develop friendships and a community beyond the Drum and Dance classes.

Trial classes are available, then it is a term enrolment. Discount rates are available for anyone wishing to enrol in a Drum Class and a Dance class.

Contact Mel for more info: 0438 802 922 or Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 💜

03/01/2025

ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN FOR TERM 1 2025!
Penrith and Katoomba, NSW.
Seniors Djembe Drum Circle Classes.
Seniors Creative Dance Classes (seated and standing).
Early Childhood Dance and Music combo Classes.
Primary School Drum and Dance combo Classes.
COMMUNITY. FREEDOM. CREATIVITY.
For enquiries and enrolments contact Mel Freedom Dance and Music with Mel 0438 802 922 💜