Meet Natalie Spiro

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Spiro and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success—and the success of Drum Cafe North America—has always been connection. Not the kind that’s surface-deep or transactional, but the kind that’s human, rhythmic, and real.

When I first brought Drum Cafe to the U.S., I didn’t just bring drums—I brought a belief. A belief that rhythm is humanity’s oldest language, and that when people play together, they remember something ancient and powerful: that we belong to one another.

This work has never been about entertainment for me; it’s about awakening something dormant in teams, leaders, and organizations—a heartbeat of unity, purpose, and trust. I think that’s what’s made our brand stand out in boardrooms and ballrooms across the country. We don’t just perform; we transform.

Of course, success didn’t come easily. There were times I wasn’t sure I could keep the vision alive. Times I had to load drums into vans myself, cross the country, and lead with nothing but faith and rhythm. But through it all, I stayed anchored in the same principle we teach every day: when you lose your rhythm, you don’t quit—you listen, you breathe, and you find your way back into the groove.

That’s been the secret behind everything we’ve built. Connection. Courage. And an unshakable belief that the beat can bring us home—to ourselves, and to each other.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At its core, my art is rhythm — but not just the kind you hear. It’s the rhythm you feel when a room full of strangers suddenly becomes a team. It’s the pulse that reminds us that beneath titles and roles, we’re all human beings wired for connection.

What sets Drum Cafe North America apart is that we don’t perform for people — we perform with them. Every person gets a drum. Every person has a voice. In those moments, the usual hierarchy dissolves. The CEO and the intern are keeping the same beat, the same pulse. That’s where transformation begins.

I’m most proud that we’ve brought this work to some of the largest organizations in the world — not as entertainment, but as a mirror. A living metaphor for leadership, trust, and alignment. When teams learn to listen, to adapt, to stay in rhythm through the messy moments — that’s when culture shifts in real time.

Getting here wasn’t easy. When I started, no one in corporate America was talking about “drumming” as a leadership tool. I had to translate an ancient practice into boardroom language — connecting it to neuroscience, engagement metrics, and business outcomes. There were years of rejection, countless miles on the road, and moments where I wondered if I was crazy to keep going. But rhythm taught me resilience. When the beat drops, you don’t quit — you listen harder and find your way back in.

The lessons have been profound:

Connection is currency. Relationships are the rhythm that sustain everything.

Vulnerability is strength. When leaders drop their armor, teams rise.

Presence is power. The best leaders don’t just manage — they listen.

What I want the world to know about me, and about Drum Cafe North America, is that this isn’t just art — it’s a movement. A heartbeat that’s traveled from African villages to Fortune 500 boardrooms, reminding people everywhere that we can’t create harmony if we’re all playing solo.

We exist to bring people back to each other.
That’s the rhythm I want to leave behind.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A Week in San Diego — Natalie’s Rhythm & Soul Itinerary
Day 1 — Welcome to the Pulse

Morning: Walk La Jolla Cove to the Children’s Pool to meet the seals, then coffee at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.
Afternoon: Kayak the La Jolla sea caves or stroll Windansea Beach. Lunch at Puesto (La Jolla) for craft tacos.
Evening: Sunset at Sunset Cliffs, dinner at Herb & Wood (Little Italy), and a nightcap at Born & Raised rooftop.

Day 2 — Balboa Park & WorldBeat Center

Morning: Explore Balboa Park (Spanish Village Art Center, Museum of Us).
Midday Heartbeat: WorldBeat Center — tour the murals, browse the gift shop, and, if timing allows, join a community drum circle or dance class. This is where global rhythm, community, and healing live under one vibrant roof.
Afternoon: Lunch at Panama 66 in the Sculpture Garden; linger among the art.
Evening: Catch a performance at The Old Globe or live music at Humphreys by the Bay.

Day 3 — North Park Creativity Crawl

Morning: Brunch at Morning Glory or Trust.
Afternoon: North Park mural walk, indie boutiques, and a craft-beer hop (Belching Beaver, Thorn Street). Coffee at Communal Coffee.
Evening: Casual dinner at Fortunate Son (Chinese-American classics) or Cucina Urbana, then jazz at The Westgate lounge or a set at Music Box.

Day 4 — Coastal Day: Encinitas to Solana Beach

Morning: Drive to Encinitas. Meditation gardens at the SRF bluff, then breakfast at Pannikin (old train station vibes).
Afternoon: Beach time at Moonlight or Swami’s; poke bowls or açaí nearby.
Evening: Dinner at Vaga or The Crack Shack (simple, delicious), then live music at the legendary Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.

Day 5 — Downtown Stories & the Bay

Morning: Tour the USS Midway Museum; it’s moving and memorable.
Afternoon: Harbor walk to Seaport Village; lunch at The Fish Market or Mitch’s Seafood on Shelter Island.
Evening: Symphony or concert at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (breathtaking skyline views). Dessert at Extraordinary Desserts — because joy.

Day 6 — Coronado & Leisure

Morning: Bike the Coronado Bayshore Bikeway; beach time at Coronado Beach by the Hotel Del.
Afternoon: Spa hour or paddleboard in Glorietta Bay; coffee at Clayton’s.
Evening: Dinner on the island (Peohe’s or Stake), then ferry back at dusk for the city lights.

Day 7 — Liberty Station & Global Flavors

Morning: Little Italy Mercato (Sat) or Ocean Beach Farmers Market (Wed). If it’s Sunday, pop back to WorldBeat Center to see what community events are flowing.
Afternoon: Wander Liberty Station Arts District, galleries, and public art; lunch at Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens.
Evening: Convoy District food adventure (ramen, Korean BBQ, or dim sum). Close the week with a quiet beach walk — Ocean Beach pier or Pacific Beach boardwalk — and name the highlights of the trip.

People, Places, and Moments I’d Spotlight

WorldBeat Center in Balboa Park — a living sanctuary of global music, drumming, dance, and cultural education. It embodies unity, belonging, and the healing power of rhythm.

Sunset Cliffs at golden hour — instant perspective.

The Rady Shell — art, skyline, and sea breeze in harmony.

Belly Up Tavern — the intimate, world-class music room locals love.

Encinitas Meditation Gardens — stillness with an ocean soundtrack.

Little Italy Mercato — flavors, makers, and community all in one place.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without a village of extraordinary humans who believed in the power of rhythm long before it became a movement.

First, my Drum Cafe North America team—the greatest musicians with the biggest hearts. They don’t just play drums; they channel energy, joy, and purpose into every beat. Their spirit is the pulse behind everything we do.

A deep shoutout to Warren Lieberman, my dear friend from South Africa, who first introduced me to this incredible concept years ago. He saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself, and that single act of faith changed the trajectory of my life.

And finally, to our clients—leaders and organizations who make courageous, vulnerable choices every day. Inviting Drum Cafe North America into your boardrooms and ballrooms isn’t just about team building; it’s about daring to lead differently. You allow us to witness transformation up close, and that trust is the greatest gift of all.

Every success, every standing ovation, every ripple of connection we’ve created—it all belongs to this collective rhythm of people who chose heart, courage, and unity over fear, ego, and division.

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