The Valencia-based drum company Remo, Inc. is using the power of  a music and wellness program called HealthRHYTHMS to support better living in the Santa Clarita community and beyond.

Developed from the research of neurologist Barry Bittman, the program uses rhythm as a tool for communication and personal expression by guiding participants through a 10-step process, according to Alyssa Janney of Remo Drums.

“Rhythm is such a core part of who we are,” Janney said. “How does a mother first know that she’s pregnant– when you hear the baby’s heartbeat, right? And how do you know when a loved one has passed? When you don’t hear that rhythm anymore. It’s such an integral part, a powerful part of who we are. It’s a very easy point at which for us to connect as human beings.”

Bittman’s research of the biological effects of rhythm showed a strengthening of the immune system and reduction in stress and “burnout” rates, as well as an improvement in mood states, creativity and bonding in seniors.

HealthRHYTHMS is being used around the world to help individuals, families, at-risk youth and seniors.

One family that recently attended a HealthRHYTHMS group in Pennsylvania saw immediate results. Participating that day was a woman and her mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the woman’s 8-year-old daughter.

After the session was over, Janney said the woman told the group’s facilitator, “’I brought my mother here, who is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, believing that this would mean nothing to her… But during one of those power drumming moments, she looked at my 8-year-old daughter and spoke her name for the first time. My mother may not remember this day tomorrow, but my daughter will never forget the day that she drummed with her grandmother.’”

“Those are the kinds of things that I’m privileged to hear all the time with my work at Remo,” Janney added. “It’s powerful when you realize how rhythm can impact a person’s life.”

Remo Belli, founder of Remo Drums, is working with Janney to bring the healing power of rhythm to the company’s hometown through the creation of the SCV Community Coalition, which brings local nonprofits together through the HealthRHYTHMS program.

“What we’re hoping to do with the HealthRHYTHMS program as part of our outreach within the coalition is to bring organizations from our community together who can use what we have learned,” Janney said, “in learning how does this work, how does it work to improve a person’s quality of life, and use that to empower our community to have better living through rhythm.”