About M’Power Rhythm
Empowering Youth • Honoring Culture • Building Community
M’Power Rhythm formally launched in 2023, but its origins trace back to 2021 — a moment when many of us were reflecting on purpose, equity, and community.
After retiring from her teaching career at Georgetown College, Dr. Leslie Stamatis found herself exploring how to make a meaningful contribution to community. As a regular participant in master drummer Tripp Bratton’s community drum classes and Pangea Drums performing ensemble, Leslie knew the transformative power of rhythm — and she deeply respected Tripp’s unique gift for teaching.
One day, she asked him a question that would change everything:
“Is there a project you’ve always wanted to create but haven’t had the support to make real?”
Tripp answered immediately:
“A youth percussion program.”
That simple exchange became the seed of M’Power Rhythm.
Tripp and Leslie in a 2022 Pangea Drums performance.
Our first Fall Break Intensive at Dunbar Community Center, 2023.
Post performance at Rhythm Rising Drum Festival at Terrapin Hill Farm, 2024
Backstage at the March Madness Marching Band’s Spy vs. Spy production at the Lyric Theatre, 2025
A Vision Rooted in Culture & Connection
A Vision Rooted in Culture & Connection
The dream had been forming in Tripp’s heart for decades. In the 1990s, during a formative trip to Ghana, he was moved by the joyful, confident, community-centered drumming of young people in every village he visited. Rhythm wasn’t an activity — it was a living expression of culture and belonging.
He imagined creating something similar here in Lexington: a city-wide “drum league” where youth could access high-quality cultural drumming close to home, the same way they might join a sports team. A place where rhythm could uplift, unite, and empower young people from every neighborhood.
M’Power Rhythm is the beginning of that vision coming to life.
Our Founding Team
Tripp Bratton
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Tripp has spent nearly 40 years studying, performing, and teaching African, Latin, and jazz-based drumming across the Bluegrass. He has directed the Berea College African–Latin Percussion and Rhythm Fusion Ensembles for 24 years. One of the most sought-after percussionists in Kentucky, Tripp is known for his versatility, excellence, creativity and collaboration. His decades of teaching and performing form the artistic backbone of MPR.
As Tripp shares:
“M’Power Rhythm is the next step in sharing what I’ve learned over a lifetime of rhythm. Guiding young people into this art form — its culture, its history, and its heart — is one of my greatest joys.”
Tripp Bratton
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Tripp has spent nearly 40 years studying, performing, and teaching African, Latin, and jazz-based drumming across the Bluegrass. He has directed the Berea College African–Latin Percussion and Rhythm Fusion Ensembles for 24 years. One of the most sought-after percussionists in Kentucky, Tripp is known for his versatility, excellence, creativity and collaboration. His decades of teaching and performing form the artistic backbone of MPR.
As Tripp shares:
“M’Power Rhythm is the next step in sharing what I’ve learned over a lifetime of rhythm. Guiding young people into this art form — its culture, its history, and its heart — is one of my greatest joys.”
“Drumming draws people together and transforms shared energy into joyful, uplifting expression.” ~Tripp Bratton
Leslie Stamatis
Co-Founder & Executive Director
With a background in kinesiology and health promotion, Leslie is a newer voice in the youth performing arts nonprofit sector, driven by a desire to promote equity, community well-being, and creative expression. Through M’Power Rhythm, she hopes youth can build confidence, belonging, and life skills through inclusive and accessible artistic experiences.
Leslie keeps MPR grounded, organized, and aligned with its mission, and she envisions the program as a bridge-builder for Lexington: a place where young people and families can learn, connect, and lift one another up through rhythm.
“Kids need programs they can get excited about.” ~Leslie Stamatis
Our Founding Team
Tripp Bratton
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Tripp has spent nearly 40 years studying, performing, and teaching African, Latin, and jazz-based drumming across the Bluegrass. He has directed the Berea College African–Latin Percussion and Rhythm Fusion Ensembles for 24 years. One of the most sought-after percussionists in Kentucky, Tripp is known for his versatility, excellence, creativity and collaboration. His decades of teaching and performing form the artistic backbone of MPR.
As Tripp shares:
“M’Power Rhythm is the next step in sharing what I’ve learned over a lifetime of rhythm. Guiding young people into this art form — its culture, its history, and its heart — is one of my greatest joys.”
Tripp Bratton
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Tripp has spent nearly 40 years studying, performing, and teaching African, Latin, and jazz-based drumming across the Bluegrass. He has directed the Berea College African–Latin Percussion and Rhythm Fusion Ensembles for 24 years. One of the most sought-after percussionists in Kentucky, Tripp is known for his versatility, excellence, creativity and collaboration. His decades of teaching and performing form the artistic backbone of MPR.
As Tripp shares:
“M’Power Rhythm is the next step in sharing what I’ve learned over a lifetime of rhythm. Guiding young people into this art form — its culture, its history, and its heart — is one of my greatest joys.”
“Drumming draws people together and transforms shared energy into joyful, uplifting expression.” ~Tripp Bratton
“Drumming draws people together and transforms shared energy into joyful, uplifting expression.”
~Tripp Bratton
Leslie Stamatis
Co-Founder & Executive Director
With a background in kinesiology and health promotion, Leslie is a newer voice in the youth performing arts nonprofit sector, driven by a desire to promote equity, community well-being, and creative expression. Through M’Power Rhythm, she hopes youth can build confidence, belonging, and life skills through inclusive and accessible artistic experiences.
Leslie keeps MPR grounded, organized, and aligned with its mission, and she envisions the program as a bridge-builder for Lexington: a place where young people and families can learn, connect, and lift one another up through rhythm.
“Kids need programs they can get excited about.”
~Leslie Stamatis
“Kids need programs they can get excited about.”
~Leslie Stamatis
Meriah Kruse
Organizational Development & Marketing Advisor
M’Power Rhythm is shaped not only by musical excellence but by thoughtful organizational strategy and clear communication — and much of that foundation comes from Meriah’s guidance.
Here’s the synchronistic, full-circle part of the story:
In the 1980s and 90s, Meriah co-directed, Syncopated Inc., a thriving Lexington dance studio that brought master drummers and dancers from across the diaspora to central Kentucky. This is where Tripp first began djembe drumming which complimented all of his other percussion related pursuits.
Decades later, Meriah and Tripp are collaborating once again, this time to build M’Power Rhythm with intention, structure, and strong community presence. Her expertise in marketing, organizational development, and arts administration has been invaluable in shaping MPR into a sustainable, community-centered nonprofit.
Our Circle of Support
Tripp Bratton
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Tripp has spent nearly 40 years studying, performing, and teaching African, Latin, and jazz-based drumming across the Bluegrass. He has directed the Berea College African–Latin Percussion and Rhythm Fusion Ensembles for 24 years. One of the most sought-after percussionists in Kentucky, Tripp is known for his versatility, excellence, creativity and collaboration. His decades of teaching and performing form the artistic backbone of MPR.
As Tripp shares:
“M’Power Rhythm is the next step in sharing what I’ve learned over a lifetime of rhythm. Guiding young people into this art form — its culture, its history, and its heart — is one of my greatest joys.”
M’Power Rhythm has grown through the efforts of many hands — friends, parents, artists, educators, neighbors, and supporters who have offered their time, skills, connections, and resources. From loading drums to taking photos, from spreading the word to showing up at performances, these are the people who help our young musicians shine.
M’Power Rhythm is rooted in community, and we’re grateful for every person who believes in this work and contributes where they can.
You are part of this rhythm.
Janet and Jerry Lucas have been with us since the beginning, helping with everything from drums to snacks — and Jerry built our dunun stands.
You’ll often find Arthur Rouse and Nicole Rodriguez (with Leslie and Tripp) behind the camera documenting MPR — and alerting us to new grant opportunities.
Justin Balcor connects MPR with students in his FCPS World Music program. Shown here at an African Seeds::Bluegrass Roots rehearsal, he played a key role as emcee and stage manager.
African drums need care, and Tim Kent is the one who keeps our whole fleet tuned and re-headed.
M’Power Rhythm exists to bring people together through rhythm, culture and community.
Full cast after 2 sold out nights of African Seeds::Bluegrass Roots at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center.
Post summer camp performance for friends and family at the Lexington Friends Meeting House
Following An Evening of Togetherness at the EKU Performing Arts Center, 2025.
Post performance huddle at the Thriller Stage Show at the Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Plaza, 2025.
The M’Power Rhythm All-Stars following to sold out nights of African Seeds::Bluegrass Roots at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, 2025.
Post practice at the Lexington Friends Meeting House. We’re grateful for the partnership with the Friends Assembly which provides us with a place to gather and play drums!
Full cast after 2 sold out nights of African Seeds::Bluegrass Roots at the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center.