Class Drummer
Aimée Gelinas, M.Ed is a musician and naturalist educator who has been performing and facilitating educational programs for 30+ years. She co-founded and directs the Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center in Windsor, MA a non-profit conserving 88 acres of rare, high elevation Boreal forest and watershed that is dedicated to “Inspiring environmental and cultural awareness, appreciation and stewardship” by providing year round nature and drumming programs for all ages. As the Director, she is currently guiding the organization in building a nature and cultural educational center on site that broke ground in 2024. She is a skilled and seasoned nature educator and outdoor guide as well as a master percussionist and singer specializing in West African and Caribbean music specifically folkloric percussion such as Djembe, Doun Doun, Conga, Shekere and more. She co-founded the music ensembles Gaia Roots, Trio Candela and Sifer and also performs with Las Mujeres de la Bomba. She teaches drumming, singing and nature programs throughout Western MA to hundreds of students and produces a yearly fundraiser event: The Annual Tamarack Hollow Berkshire Drum Fest celebrating its 16th year in October. She also leads her two intergenerational student drum performance ensembles: The Berkshire and The Valley Rhythm Keepers. Aimee has traveled to West Africa, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Central America and throughout the US to perform and study percussion with master drummers. She co-produced the 19-track CD Mother Drum by Gaia Roots featuring music from West Africa, the Caribbean and originals.