Aimee Gelinas

A locally based Berkshire drummer, percussionist, vocalist and educator is also the co-founder of the all-women world music ensemble, Gaia Roots (www.gaiaroots.com). She has taught and studied Afro-Cuban and West African percussion and singing for over 12 years, having studied in Havana and Mantanzas, Cuba; Senegal and Gambia, West Africa, as well as with local master drummer, Joe Platz. She was a vocalist and percussionist with Abdul Baki Roots Reggae, has played with Holyoke’s Enchanted Circle Theatre’s Roots, Rhythm and Rapture, an Afro-Caribbean percussion and dance troupe, and currently sings lead, writes, and is co-founder of the Berkshire-based rock group SIFER (www.sifer.net). She also teaches drumming to children and adults in the Berkshires at Canyon Ranch, Berkshire Pulse, Valley Head School and Residencies, and plays lead percussion with Tracy Vernon’s Afro-Caribbean dance class at Rhythms.