The Love Drums is the creation of percussionist, teacher, and drum circle facilitator Ed Haggard. Based in Lancaster, PA, The Love Drums brings the rhythms of the world—especially West Africa—to life. When they drum, people dance.
Ed began performing as The Love Drums in 1995, building a vibrant community around rhythm, movement, and joy. For nearly two decades, the group energized the Nashville area, performing at festivals, art galleries, hospitals, and events like the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Kinnection, Serendipity, and The Barefoot Farmer’s Solstice and Equinox gatherings. Their long-running event series, The Love Drums Community Drum & Dance WhizBang, brought together hundreds of people for monthly celebrations featuring live percussion, samba parades, belly dancers, fire performers, singers, and drum circles.
In 2014, Ed released The Love Drums album, featuring guest artists Biko Cassini, Thomas Anderson, and Dan Sherrill. Ed performed most of the percussion himself, and the music has since been streamed in over 60 countries and “Shazamed” in more than 30.
Music and rhythm run deep in the Haggard family. Ed’s son, Edison, is a key member of The Love Drums and a former Montessori drumming teacher in Nashville. His grandsons are now learning the repertoire—continuing the beat into a third generation. Ed’s own drumming journey began at age 12 when his father brought home a Slingerland drum set; soon he was playing along with Stevie Wonder, Trini Lopez, and Jimi Hendrix records.
Lancaster Highlights
Since relocating to Pennsylvania, Ed has continued to grow The Love Drums community:
Facilitated 10 drum circles and two master classes at Drums, Etc.
Led popular drum circles at the PA Drum Show at Rock Lititz (2023–2025)
Taught and performed with Music For Everyone (MFE), including leading string players in West African rhythms
Facilitated community circles at the Lititz Public Library and senior homes including Oak Leaf Manor Southand Friends Home in Kennett Square
Performed with Michael Jamanis, Matt Woodson, and Aminata for the Lancaster Foundation Awards at Rock Lititz
Offers private lessons and group classes at The Love Drums Studio
Experience & Training
Ed has taught thousands of students and facilitated countless drum circles. In Nashville, he taught for 12 years at University School of Nashville and six years at Casa dei Montessori, with additional residencies at Harpeth Hall, Montgomery Bell Academy, Ensworth Academy, and others.
He has trained with world-class drummers including Mamady Keita, Bolokada Conde, Famadou Konate, M’Bemba Bangoura, Koungbanan Conde, Aly Scylla, Babatunde Olatunji , Weedie Braimah, and completed Arthur Hull’s Drum Circle Facilitator Training. Other great teachers Ed's worked with: Sory Diabate, Moussa Tommy Smith, Madou Dembele, Monette Marino, Helen Bond, Michael Markus, Paulo Mattioli, Mamady Sano, Maria Estes, Taylor, Clifford Koufman, Raquy Danziger, Layne Redmond, Carolyn Brandy, Tammi Hessen, Dan Trevino, Louis Martine, Dann Sherrill, Jim Donovan, Ubaka Hill, Tiani Tarr, Mohamed de Costa.
Beyond drumming, Ed’s creative background is wide-ranging:
Former President of the Nashville Branch of the Screen Actors Guild
Award-winning slam poet, three-time Nashville Poetry Slam Champion
Writer and performer of the acclaimed one-man show “Son of White Man: The Naked Truth”, staged over 70 times in 12 cities
InterPlay leader and longtime team-building facilitator with Adventureworks, Inc., leading nearly 100 ropes course and corporate programs
The Beat Goes On
Whether teaching, performing, or building community through rhythm, Ed Haggard and The Love Drums continue to inspire connection, joy, and movement—one beat at a time.
