GREG WHITT

FACILITATOR & EDUCATOR

GREG WHITT facilitates workshops and retreats designed to connect people to one another and to the world around them. He studied holistic lifestyle practices in graduate school through the Transformative Leadership and Social Change program at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. His studies focused on wisdom traditions to benefit modern society and these support his work leading interactive and experiential education programs.

Greg is an award-winning teaching artist and edutainer. He has received four competitive professional development grants from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. In 2011 he studied folkloric music in Cuba, visiting both Havana and Matanzas. In 2015 he again traveled to the Caribbean, this time to study Garifuna drumming in Hopkins Village, Belize. In 2018 Greg received funding to purchase specialized instruments to meet the ever-growing need for wellness drumming in healthcare settings. In 2022, he wrote a collection of essays to share accessible music-based wellness practices for these crazy times.

In his youth, Greg was active as a scouter and member of Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity where he developed strong values of selfless service to others. He spent eight years in the US Air Force as both police officer and paralegal, then worked ten more in higher education at NC State University. Greg has been leading facilitated interactive rhythm experiences since 2002. He founded the still-strong Raleigh Drum Circle community group then, and launched Drum for Change as a full-time business in 2009.

Since 2004 Greg has been affiliated with the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild, an international membership association committed to professionalism in the industry. He currently serves as their Executive Director. Greg joined the North Carolina Storytelling Guild in 2021 and currently serves on their board of directors. He tells a mix of folk stories and travel adventures to convey life lessons from people far and wide. In 2022, Greg was appointed to the City of Raleigh Arts Commission.

With this diverse background in leadership and service, Greg’s programs use music as the metaphor for life in rhythm and harmony. Fusing positive psychology, applied philosophy, and folk wisdom, his programs highlight common values that serve as positive examples for healthy, happy, and productive living. His real work is to share and strengthen the understanding and practice of these timeless principles.  

Greg digs hammocks, thrift shops, mid-century modern design, stand up paddle boarding, Vespa scooters, vintage hi-fi, iPhone photography, and great stories. He enjoys travel for cultural understanding.  Greg loves global cuisine and great coffee.  When he's really still and quiet, he sometimes manages to write interesting narratives and a bit of poetry.

Greg's happy place is near the sea, surrounded by great music, his sweetheart Annelies nearby, and a tasty beverage in hand.