Meet the Drums in Recovery Team

President Marla Stevenson is originally from Springfield, Massachusetts. She honorably served in the United States Air Force as an Aircraft Environmental Systems Mechanic. In California, she pursued a career in the corporate world as a Senior Marketing Coordinator. In Maryland, she established several Music Together centers. In Florida, she continued establishing and directing Music Together centers for over 20 years. She became a HealthRhythms Facilitator and worked in memory care units and assisted living communities. She also works as a Behavioral Health Technician at Aspire Health Partners. In July, 2016, under the guidance of former Board Member, Carol Gann, Marla established the non- profit organization, Drums in Recovery, Inc. She is our Senior Drumbeat Facilitator. She has brought the Drumbeat program to women’s transitional sober living houses, women’s residential treatment centers, re-entry and substance abuse programs for correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, homeless children’s programs, victims of domestic violence programs, schools, churches, and she has established a drum team of recovering addicts and alcoholics that meet regularly and perform twice a year. Marla is a member of Aloma Church, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Secretary Amanda Rice is the owner of several small businesses in the Winter Springs, Florida area. Her most recent venture is in property management with her husband and business partner, Michael. Recently, they have successfully opened two men’s sober living environments with plans to expand their business in the surrounding Central Florida region. Amanda spent the better portion of her career in engineering operations working for several large firms in North America. With strong cognitive and reasoning abilities, she has a solid operational presence and has sat on multi-level regional and nationally recognized executive teams in the A/E/C fields. She graduated with a B.S. in Residential Planning in 2005 from The Art Institute of Atlanta.

Director Christina Kuchman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been in the field of Social Work for 20 years. She has been afforded the opportunity to work in various settings with a diverse population of all ages. Some of the settings she has worked in include Aspire Health Partners as an Outpatient Therapist in Children's Unit, Coalition for the Homeless as a Therapist/Child Advocate under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Program, Compass Counseling Services, LLC as Therapist/Clinical Director, Meridian Associates, LLC as Clinical Director and Accelerated Learning Solutions as a Family Support Specialist working with At-Risk Youth ages 16-21 years. Christina currently works in her own private practice Healing Pathways Counseling Services, LLC, and she is an Instructor with UCF School of Social Work. She became involved with Drums in Recovery and Drumbeat in Spring of 2022 after meeting Marla Stevenson and Debra Dauven at a Community Event for the opening of a local Recovery High School in Central Florida. The Drums in Recovery Program caught her eye right away and sounded truly inspiring. She was invited to attend the Drums in Recovery Group where she learned to play the djembe drum while growing in skills that strengthened her personally and professionally. She was then invited to join the Board in the Fall of 2022. She is truly honored to be a part of this amazing Team.

Director Julius Higger is an Orlando businessman who excels in an environment that is both challenging and collaborative. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and has since gained extensive experience as a Business Development Manager and an Agency/Corporate Recruiter. Julius has been a valued supporter of Drums in Recovery from the very beginning. He attends events, volunteers, and is a trusted friend and business advisor. His technology, networking, and interpersonal skills make him an asset to the Board of Directors.

Vice-President Anna Jones grew up with a passion for service and a desire to help people. She has spent part of her career in healthcare in the areas of cancer care and pharmacy, and part as a Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machinist. She took her first Drumbeat class in 2015 and loved the class’s unique approach to group therapy. She continued doing volunteer work for Drums in Recovery fundraisers and then joined the board in 2019 where she served as secretary until 2021. In 2022, she became Vice-President of the Board of Directors and in 2023, Anna became our administrative assistant and co-facilitator at one of our elementary school partners. She loves every day she goes to work for Drums in Recovery, knowing her work is making a difference in people’s lives.

Director Debra Dauven is a local businesswoman who has owned her own company for over ten years. She has found the time to commit to numerous community service projects including the organization of fundraisers for various non-profit organizations that specialize in recovery. She also operates a national networking site that unites teenage runaways with their families in cooperation with law enforcement. Additionally, she is a local radio personality involved with the production and promotion of musical and theatrical productions. Debra strongly believes in the power of music as a healing force, and its ability to contribute to a person’s physical, mental and spiritual health. In 2023, Debra earned her certification as a Drumbeat Facilitator and is sharing the program with students at an alternative high school and with a local recovery group.

Director Christina Efland graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2013 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She currently works in behavioral/psychiatric nursing and is most excited about helping others achieve the best version of themselves. Christina also worked in rehabilitative nursing for approximately 5 years. In this role, Christina assisted people who had lost limbs, had organ transplants, or had traumatic brain injuries. She is a compassionate and gentle nurse as she assists people through some of the worst times of their lives. Christina has been a member of Drums in Recovery for 2 years and recently joined the Board of Directors. She is passionate about the mission to “foster interpersonal skills and healthy lifestyles for people to regain self-esteem, social acceptance and healing from personal struggles.” Christina also serves the community in her personal life, often volunteering her time to the needs of others. It is her greatest desire to see people who are hurting find relief and solace physically, emotionally, spiritually and interpersonally as humans are multifaceted and need a well-rounded approach to healing.

Director, Sonya Stewart, is a resident of Orlando, Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Fayetteville State University. Sonya currently enjoys working in one of downtown Orlando’s favorite family-owned restaurants and works part-time for a seniors' assisted living facility. Sonya has taken the Drumbeat course several times and believes the program helps her with communication as well as identifying her sense of self in a group setting. She enjoys what this program has to offer through fellowship, teamwork, as well as musical harmony in a performance setting. As a member of the Board of Directors, she looks for innovative ways for Drums in Recovery to grow and expand in the community.

Treasurer Carrie Bailey is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a BS in Accounting and an MS in Taxation. She is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Florida. She is a current member of both the Florida and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Beta Gamma Sigma. After fifteen years working for public accounting firms, Carrie opened her own practice in 2017. Her strong analytical and critical thinking skills ensure efficiency and compliance with accounting, tax and non‐profit regulations. Carrie is constantly updating her knowledge in the accounting industry, which translates into being able to provide the most current solution to any challenge. Her organizational and time management abilities are constantly put to the test by her eight‐year‐old little one. Her favorite activities are to sing, laugh, dance and play with her daughter. She is the past President of the Central FL Chapter of ISCEBS, has volunteered for DECA, and participated in numerous Pension Study Groups. Carrie currently volunteers at her daughter’s school in the food pantry. When Carrie began taking her baby daughter to music classes instructed by Ms. Marla, she had no idea where the connection and friendship with this teacher would lead. And now, as Treasurer of the Board of Directors, she is proud to help Drums in Recovery strive towards success in its mission.

Director Jennifer Alman is a life-long learner with a Master’s Degree in Educational Media Design and Technology and over 25 years of experience in the education industry. For 14 of those years, she taught middle school math and is currently working as a Partner Success Manager for an educational technology company. Jennifer has been involved with the Drums in Recovery program since its inception as an active participant and supporter. She feels passionate about this program and believes in the benefits it provides for those struggling with addiction.

Director Dyann Donahoo has been a supporter of Drums in Recovery since its inception in 2016. She never misses an event or opportunity to serve this group. She is inspired by the passion people demonstrate while performing and has seen lives transformed by this program by learning respect, courtesy, and patience. She is proud to be a part of the team that makes this program work! She has personally been involved in the recovery community since 2014 and searches for opportunities to get more involved and give back in new ways. As a member of the Board of Directors she brings compassion, hard work, and a heart of service whenever needed.

Our dedicated, compassionate facilitators are certified in Drumbeat program instruction.