Music Days with Mark Schulman

Mark Schulman has been playing drums since he was three-years-old. Practice paid off! He’s so good at it that he’s spent the last few years traveling around the world with P!nk. Before that, he toured with Cher for three years, and has also performed with Sheryl Crow, Billy Idol, Destiny’s Child, Stevie Nicks and Foreigner, amongst many other top musicians.

In addition, Mark presents an amazing motivational seminar called “Find Your Rhythm” for corporations like IBM, Mattel, Cisco, McDonald’s and universities such as M.I.T., Oklahoma State and Cal Poly. He shares stories about his life on the road as a world-class drummer, fused with his experience of surviving testicular cancer.

Mark and his wife Lisa have just had a baby daughter, Zade. He spends all of his free time with his family… except for the Music Days that he presents to the high-risk youth that Create Now serves. Mark performs his “Find Your Rhythm” program at detention camps and juvenile halls to some of the toughest kids in the community, and he keeps their attention! “I look at it as a chance to give back for the blessing of gifts that I am lucky enough to possess,” Mark said. “If I can change one kid's attitude, then he can change his life. If he has changed his life, then he has changed the world forever. Now that is a true gift. Create Now is the catalyst for this world changing action.”

Sometimes Mark’s mentee Demond Nelson joins him. Several years ago, Demond was locked up at Camp Holton. Mark gave his seminar there and the youth was instantly transformed. He wrote his mentor a three-page letter telling Mark how his life had changed because of his talk about attitudes and reaching goals. Now Demond teams up with Mark to share his story with hundreds of youth, who are inspired by his change.

In February, at Camp David Gonzalez in Calabasas, there were around 80 teenage boys who were incarcerated for all kinds of crimes. Demond warmed them up, and then Mark blew the youth away with his incredible drum solos. He shared interactive rhythms with the kids, and gave them the chance to play his drums. Mark always makes the same phenomenal offer to all of these youth: they can contact him through Create Now and come to his studio in Venice for a drum lesson and/or recording session.

Harry Grammer (“HG”) teaches a Poetry Workshop at Camp Gonzales and he was there with his students. “Create Now’s presentation was extraordinarily engaging, powerful, humorous and enlightening for all the boys. The music captivated everyone attending and Mark’s talk was heartfelt and authentic. The kids and I walked away inspired and impressed by the performance and lecture.” HG is now arranging to bring three of his students to Mark’s studio.

Most recently, Mark performed for around 50 teenage boys at Pacific Lodge School in Woodland Hills. Vice-Principal Anita Bauer-Hook said, “Our students are on probation for breaking laws. They should be in juvenile camps or halls due to substance abuse, illegal substance sales, and/or anger issues. There are multiple racial tensions and gang problems. They curse out the teachers and throw desks at peers. We’re considered successful if we reach even just one student.”

Mark performed a variety of different drum solos and shared his fascinating stories. Only three students walked to the back of the room. Nobody really left. He held their attention for 90 minutes, which is considered extraordinary.

Anita said, “Some students volunteered to try something new… learning to play drums in front of their peers. Mark certainly has a style that can work miracles! After the program ended, about 10 students stayed just to watch as the drums were put away. Several boys hung out to talk with him. Do you know how long it usually takes for these students to open up and talk to someone they just met? They were still talking about him the next day. Again, Mark works miracles!”

Before Mark returns on tour with P!nk, he’ll be presenting two more days of music at Central Juvenile Hall and Camp Afflerbaugh, where Demond was once locked up in detention.

Mark has been part of the backbone of Create Now. He’s served on our Board of Directors for nine years, including several years as our Chairman. He has a huge heart and tremendous talent. We’re so grateful to have him on our team!

Here’s what some of the kids have to say:

“It was fantastic! Very well put together. I enjoyed it a lot. I learned to never give up. Don’t look at the bad but look at what you can make out of it.” – Calvin, age 17

“I liked when he played the drums. He was articulate and he could make it sound like hip hop.” – Jeremy, age 17

“I liked the story about his ex-wife and how she shifted her attitude when she had cancer. I’m going to try to use that method and change my outlook on life.” – Richmond, age 16

“I like the way he talked about when you’re in a bad situation to make it a good one. I like what he said about I don’t have to do it but I get to do it. That changes the whole situation and it doesn’t make you feel like you have to do it. It’s a choice.” – Jordan, age 16