Steve Campbell started Dancing Drum with his wife in 2002. They wanted to increase musical literacy while encouraging teamwork and inclusion in school programs around the country. Campbell held the program afterschool at Penn Lincoln Elementary in Altoona.

“It’s a great tool to use, in a musical sense, but also to get kids to feel good about themselves and feel like ‘wow I can be the star of the show with this program’,” Campbell said.

Respect, responsibility, fairness and caring are just some of the traits that Steve highlights in the Drumming Up Character program. He said teaching kids to drum helps them with self-confidence.

“Anyone, whether you have musical skills or you’re in a band or not in a band, can join in the fun and be very successful at it,” Campbell said.

Evan Weidel and his grandma Susan Williamson wanted to do something fun together, and thought Dancing Drum was a great idea.

“We like to do things at school and i enjoy doing things with him and can’t wait to try the drums out. we like music,” said Williamson.

Weidel added, “Yeah, it’s gonna be really fun.”

Campbell will be at Penn Lincoln and Ebner Elementary until Friday.