Drumming Beats Stress!

A music therapy session hosted by the Graduate School helped students understand how a numbering system and drumming can be used to identify and relieve stress. The workshop, held on December 1, was led by registered music therapist Ms Emily Yeung. The warm gathering, which combined music and art, fostered support among students and played a crucial role in helping them process complex emotions triggered by recent community events.

The session began with participants using “energy numbers” to assess and share their current state of mind. Students then selected instruments such as the kalimba, African drum, or guitar, and, guided by Ms Yeung, improvised music together—combining rhythms and melodies to express their emotions while listening to one another. To close, students created artwork within mandala circles, wrote their worries on one card, and left anonymous messages of encouragement and blessings on others, creating a quiet yet meaningful exchange.

Many found that the workshop offered a safe and supportive space to pause and connect. Through music and art, students discovered new ways to express and settle difficult feelings, and experienced the healing power of sincere sharing and listening. The Graduate School remains committed to supporting everyone—if you ever need to talk, we are always here for you.