Brazilian, African and Indian drums line the shelves of Geoff John’s one-car garage, which he’s converted into a casual drumming studio.

Some of the drums are tall and thin, others squat, and, with the help of percussionist Johns or one of his music students, all bring world rhythms to life.

On Thursday, nearly every seat in the studio was filled, as Islanders drummed and sang the rhythms of Haiti, honoring the nation that was rocked last week by a massive earthquake.

Johns, 51, seemed alive and in the moment as he joyously played different beats and sang animatedly. Being in a circle of people singing and playing Haitian songs together, he was in his element.

The musician teaches drumming to Islanders young and old, leads a weekly drumming and singing circle at his home and takes the rhythms of the world to students through partnerships with local teachers. He’s an emissary of world rhythm, it seems.

Last month, the longtime percussionist was awarded a $5,000 fellowship from the Jubilation Foundation to keep doing what he does well — teaching and sharing music with others in the community.

The money, Johns said, opens doors for him to be able to work on several Island efforts for less money than he’d otherwise need to stay solvent.

“Because I’m a self-employed musician, I live close to the edge,” he said. “I have to take whatever work I can to pay the bills. If there’s enough cash flow, I can do things for free or things that don’t pay much. This allows me to do those things.”

Johns plans to begin after-school drumming classes next month through Vashon Allied Arts for fourth- through eighth-graders and will soon collaborate in the classroom with Chautauqua music teacher Andy James. He’s also recently begun working with the children of the small Homestead School and opening his drumming studio on Thursday nights to an informal free global percussion and voice ensemble.

Johns will also continue his longtime involvement with the Vashon Dance Academy, where he often accompanies the modern dance class on Wednesdays.

“I’m going to really reach out more to people on the Island and make connections and see what comes of it,” he said.

The Jubilation Foundation, a fund of the national Tides Foundation, is dedicated to “the cohesive power of rhythm,” according to its Web site.

Johns, too, is a believer in the ability of music and rhythm to strengthen community ties and bring people closer.

The traditional world music Johns studied in college and after is “social and fun — everybody can join in,” he said.

Johns is a passionate and talented teacher, said James, a fellow music teacher.

“One of the things I’m learning is this music has a lot of wisdom to it, and there can be wisdom in rhythms,” James said. “It takes a really skillful teacher, which (Johns) is, to get that sense across.”

Johns is a forgiving leader, said artist Kira Bacon, who has drummed with the percussionist for four years and in three Strawberry Festival parades.

“He is really enthusiastic, lots of fun and incredibly knowledgeable,” Bacon said. “He’s a very patient teacher. … It’s such a positive and accepting atmosphere.”

Johns is eager to spread the rhythms that light up his life with those around him, and enjoys working with young people on Vashon, he said.

“It feels good to be working in my own community,” he said. “I really like working in the schools.”

He’s very excited, he added, about his upcoming after-school drumming classes, “Fun With Drums,” which he’s offering at his drumming studio in collaboration with Vashon Allied Arts.

Janice Mallman, arts education director at Vashon Allied Arts, said she’s thrilled the Vashon nonprofit is working with Johns.

“We’re really hoping to expand some of our offerings in the area of music, and this offers something we’ve never had before,” Mallman said. “The class is going to be held at his drum studio, and the kids don’t even have to bring a drum — he has all different kinds of drums they can play.”

Attending classes at the artist’s studio “is such an amazing experience for the students,” she said.

Johns is “very optimistic and positive and upbeat and really enthused about what he’s doing, and that enthusiasm rubs off on the kids,” Mallman said.

The percussionist will offer two after-school groups, one for fourth- and fifth-graders and the other for middle-schoolers. The classes begin the first week of February.

Mallman said she’s particularly looking forward to Johns’ middle-school group, which will serve a group that’s sometimes “harder to reach.”

She’s hoping Johns’ students will “connect with something that really moves them, a positive artistic outlet. That can be really important for a kid,” she said.

“I want people to see me as a community resource,” Johns added. “I’m interested in collaborating with others and helping where I can.”