A Beatboxing Journey to Antalya: Inspiring Teenagers at Evergreen Place
[You can watch the video of the beatbox workshop in Antalya by scrolling down the page]
My name is Danny Ladwa, founder and lead facilitator at the School Of Beatbox, based in London, UK. I’ve had the privilege of taking beatboxing to many places around the world, but a recent trip certainly stood out in a very special way — my visit to a site in Antalya, Turkey, known as Evergreen Place. What started as a one-day workshop turned into a truly unforgettable experience full of creativity and connection for both the young participants and myself.
In this article, I’ll walk you through what made this workshop so impactful, the format of the day, how the group responded, and why beatboxing is such a powerful tool for youth engagement. Whether you're a teacher, youth worker, musician or someone curious about how creative arts can inspire young people, I hope this gives you a meaningful insight into how beatboxing is a great way to engage young people.
Setting the Scene: A Creative Haven in Antalya
Evergreen Place is a community-focused space nestled approx 30 minutes north of Antalya. It’s a creative and supportive environment perfect for engaging teenagers in artistic, cultural and personal development activities. The hosts and team are dedicated, the setting is vibrant, and most importantly — the young people are curious and open to new experiences.
When I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and an eager group of teenagers, most of whom had never encountered beatboxing before. What struck me immediately was their willingness to jump into something completely new and their openness to self-expression. This is what sets the foundation for a successful workshop.
From London to Turkey: A Personal Mission
As the founder of the School Of Beatbox, I’ve spent years using beatboxing as a tool to build confidence, improve communication skills, and encourage self-expression in people of all ages. But with young people especially, I find beatboxing to be an immediate connector — it’s fresh, it’s exciting, and it doesn’t require any musical background or equipment.
Travelling from London to Antalya, I had one goal: to ignite a spark in these young minds using the power of the human voice.
Starting with the Story: Building Trust Through Personal Connection
The session kicked off with me sharing a bit of my own story — how I started beatboxing as a challenged kid who struggled with confidence due to my stutter, and how it eventually became my profession and my passion. Sharing my journey is always the first step because it helps the group to see me not as just an instructor, but as someone who has overcome challenges similar to theirs.
Vulnerability opens the door to connection. And that connection builds trust — a crucial ingredient when asking a group of teenagers to step outside their comfort zones and try something as exposing as beatboxing.
Vocal Warm-Ups: Preparing the Voice and Breaking the Ice
Before jumping into sounds and beats, we did a series of fun and energising vocal warm-ups. These are designed not just to prepare the voice, but to:
These included call-and-response exercises and asking them to sing like an opera singer. By the end of the warm-up, the group was smiling, laughing, and ready to dive in.
Learning the Basics: Kick Drum, Hi-Hat and Snare
We began with the fundamental beatbox sounds — the kick drum (B), the hi-hat (T) and the snare drum (K). These three sounds form the building blocks of beatboxing, and learning them properly sets the stage for everything else.
I use a playful teaching method and break each sound down into easy-to-follow steps:
Before long, the group was practising simple beats like:
“Buh Tss Kuh Tss Buh-Buh Tss Kuh Tss"
Building Confidence: Microphone Time for Everyone
One of the most transformative parts of the workshop is when participants get a chance to use the microphone. For many young people, especially those who are shy or unsure of their abilities, stepping up to a mic can be a huge moment.
At Evergreen Place, every single participant had a go. And what I witnessed was nothing short of amazing — smiles, applause, encouragement from peers, and a visible shift in posture and confidence.
This is the power of beatboxing: it turns the invisible into visible, the quiet into loud, and the timid into bold.
Level Up: Tackling More Complex Beats
Once the basics were solid, I introduced a few more complex beat patterns. At first, there were groans and giggles — “this is too hard!” — but I knew exactly how to guide them through.
My method involves:
A phrase like:
“Boom Ka Tickle Tickle Boom-Ka, Boom Boom Ka Tickle Tickle Boom-Ka”
can sound fast and complex, but once broken down and repeated, it becomes second nature.
By the end of this section, everyone was able to perform the “difficult” beats. And the look of achievement on their faces? Priceless.
It was at this point I noticed a major increase in engagement levels.
Sound Effects Galore: Adding Flavour to the Beat
Beatboxing is more than just drums — it’s also about sound effects and vocal creativity. We explored:
This part of the session unleashed their imaginations. Some participants began inventing their own effects, inspired by sounds from cartoons, games or music. This is where true artistic expression begins.
Enter the Loop Station: Creating Full Tracks Live
To wrap up the day, I introduced the group to the loop station — a magical device that lets us record sounds in real-time and layer them to create full songs using only the voice.
We built three original loops from scratch, combining:
Everyone took part in building each loop — some recorded beats, others added effects, and some created vocal harmonies. The result? Three fresh, high-energy tracks, created from nothing but human voices.
The energy in the room was electric. The group cheered each other on, and I could feel the pride in every single participant.
Why Beatboxing Works So Well With Teenagers
This experience at Evergreen Place reinforced something I already knew — beatboxing is one of the most effective tools for youth engagement. Here’s why:
For teens who may feel misunderstood, isolated or lacking confidence, beatboxing provides a non-judgemental space to shine.
The Power of Creative Workshops in Youth Spaces
Spaces like Evergreen Place are invaluable. They provide young people with:
A Lasting Impact: What Happened After the Workshop
By the end of the session, something remarkable had happened — the group wasn’t just learning beats, they were beatboxers. Several participants came up to me afterwards asking:
That hunger for more is what every educator hopes for. It tells me that the seeds were planted, and they’ll continue to grow long after I’ve left.
Conclusion: One Voice, Infinite Possibilities
My visit to Antalya and the time I spent at Evergreen Place reminded me of the true power of what I do. Beatboxing is far more than an art form — it’s a powerful tool for transformation, connection, and empowerment.
To see a group of teenagers go from unsure and curious to confident, expressive and creative — all in the span of one day — is something I’ll never take for granted.
If you’re a teacher, youth worker or organiser and want to bring something truly special to your group, I invite you to consider beatboxing. It could be the spark that lights a lifelong passion.
And to the brilliant young people at Evergreen Place — keep beatboxing, keep creating, and keep believing in your voice. Because I'm a strong believer that it's the most powerful instrument in the world.
Watch the video of the Beatbox Workshop in Antalya
Interested in bringing a beatbox workshop to your school or youth centre?
Get in contact with School Of Beatbox today or follow us on social media for more info, video tutorials and booking enquiries. Just search for 'School Of Beatbox' on all socials.
