About the Facilitator

Through Found Sounds, Ellen Clegg unites her passions, skills and training as a musician/percussionist and facilitator/ mediator/ educator.

Born with music in her blood, Ellen has been immersed in drumming and rhythm since the age of five. Her journey has involved training in an array of styles, instruments, and venues of expression. She began her study in traditional western drumming, including set drumming, timpani, xylophone, marimba, and percussion.

Ten years ago her interests led her to study western African and Latin American drumming, becoming particularly proficient with the djembe and tenor pan (steel drum). She spent five years performing, teaching, and directing the Can Consortium, a touring steel drum band working on its third CD.

Studying these traditions fueled her passion for an understanding of culture, community, and social justice. With strong values in community, empowerment, and diversity awareness, her journey led her to a unique, experiential education based graduate program with the Audubon Expedition Institute. There she developed skills as a facilitator and educator while living in a learning community. This experience was strengthened by further pursuits in Mediation and Facilitation Resources.

Her lifelong commitment involves proactive, empowering work to rejuvenate communities and their members by drawing on the richness of inclusivity and diversity. She believes in the power of rhythm and drumming, present in all aspects of the world around us, to build communities, build communication, find strength in our differences, and ultimately foster hope and unity.

 

"You were my favorite part of First Night!" - Joe, Northampton Resident