Everyone who breathes has rhythm!  Everyone with a heartbeat has rhythm!  As an ambassador of rhythm, Ellen Clegg of Found Sounds brings the rhythm in all of us alive.  From toddlers to elders, teenagers to retirees, caregivers to people trying to heal, people hard at work to college orientation students, Found Sounds offers experiential workshops with varying intention.  Whether it’s through individual private lessons, group lessons, stress reduction workshops, teambuilding workshops, community drumming events, staff development workshops, conferences, or wellness workshops, Found Sounds provides quality, innovative facilitation to engage and inspire the participants.
Through her performance, Ellen Clegg seeks to connect deeply with the audience and share her passion for rhythm and music through uplifting and inspiring concerts, including solo performance, events with her samba band OffBeat, participatory concerts, or  through her improvisational role in the band The Effect.

May you find what you are looking for, and feel free to contact Ellen Clegg anytime with questions or comments.  Welcome.

The program is based upon the HealthRHYTHMS^® protocol developed from medical research that shows the health benefits of drumming with a group, including stress reduction, mood improvement and a boost to the immune system.

Inspiring percussionist and HealthRHYTHMS^® Trained Facilitator, Ellen Clegg, utilizes the power of rhythm and drumming in this evidenced-based programming to effectively reduce stress and provide an opportunity for participants to experience self-expression, support, nurturing, and belonging.

HealthRHYTHMS^® was developed after leading neurologist and mind-body researcher Dr. Barry Bittman, MD led a renowned research team in the first biological study on the effects of group drumming in 2000. Subsequent published research supports the program. For more information, visit remo.com/health.

A wide variety of drums and other percussion instruments are provided for all participants.  No musical experience necessary for an enjoyable and meaningful experience.

The Arts Block in Greenfield and Ellen Clegg present World Percussionist of the Year 2005 and 2008 Valerie Naranjo Live in Concert!!!!!!!! Monday May 9th 7:30pm on Main St. in Greenfield, sliding scale $15 – $5. “She grabs your full attention and you are wrapped up in her for as long as she plays.” “Valerie Naranjo on (marimba) and drums is utterly riveting…fascinating…” Valley Percussionist Ellen Clegg enthusiastically welcomes her teacher and mentor, Valerie, to the Valley, and will open the evening with some original songs, joined by members from OffBeat. www.foundsounds.com.
Percussionist, vocalist, composer VALERIE DEE NARANJO, known for her pioneering efforts on West African keyboard percussion is a Coloradoan of Ute (Native American) descent. In 1988 her playing of the traditional repertoire of the gyil (West African solo marimba) led to the declaration of a chiefly decree in the Dagara nation that women be allowed to play the instrument for the first time. In 1996 she took a “First Place” in Ghana’s Kobine Traditional Festival gyil competition, currently the only non West African to have done so.

She plays percussion and arranges for the Saturday Night Live Band and has recorded and performed with Broadway’s The Lion King, The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, The Paul Winter Consort, Tori Amos, Airto Moreira, and the international percussion ensemble, MEGADRUMS, which includes Milton Cardona, Zakir Hussein, and Glen Velez. On six continents Valerie is a clinician for Pearl Corporation and Adams Musical Instruments, Zildjian, and Vic Firth.

Hope to see you there!!!!

At long last, the recording project I put on hold while caring for my Dad’s passing is now in it’s final stages of production. I have poured my heart, my light,  my soul into this project, and I hope you will find the music a true gift. It also resonates from my recent successful trip to Bahia Brazil, an incredible journey with twelve students hosted by the inspirational Brazilian choreographer/dancer Rosangela Silvestre.

So, I invite you all to….

 

Come celebrate the return of the Sun at Ellen Clegg ‘s CD Release Concert “This Time” with OffBeat Womyn’s Drumming Ensemble Saturday Decemeber 17th at 7:30pm at the Arts Block in Greenfield MA. Inspirational, energizing drumming and dancing, uplifting sounds of the steel drum, and soothing melodic marimba. Sliding scale $15 – $5.

You may purchase tickets in advance directly through Paypal. They will be mailed to you upon cleared payment. Note that you do not need a Paypal account to make a credit card payment using the Paypal processing service.

You can also easily purchase multiple tickets – just update the ‘Quantity’ field on the payment page. Get a ticket for yourself and a friend!

Purchase your tickets now:

Ellen Clegg Concert – Dec 17, 2011

Sliding Scale ($15) $15.00 USD Sliding Scale ($14) $14.00 USD Sliding Scale: ($13) $13.00 USD Sliding Scale ($12) $12.00 USD Sliding Scale ($11) $11.00 USD Sliding Scale ($10) $10.00 USD Sliding Scale ($9) $9.00 USD Sliding Scale ($8) $8.00 USD Sliding Scale ($7) $7.00 USD

Born with music in her blood, Ellen Clegg has been immersed in drumming and rhythm since the age of five. Her thirty year journey has involved extensive training including Oberlin College and traditional drummers in rhythmic traditions from across the globe; djembe from West Africa, steel drum from Trinidad, multiple percussion from Bahia Brazil, taiko from Japan, doumbek from the Middle East, and drum set, timpani, and marimba from Europe and the US.

Director of  FOUND SOUNDS, Ellen unites her passion and skills as a percussionist, performer, and educator to facilitate drumming classes, workshops, community rhythm events, and wellness programs throughout New England.  She believes in the ever-present power of rhythm and drumming to promote health, build community, and find strength in differences.   She has recently traveled to Brazil to continue her studies and currently is studying with Master Drummer Valerie Naranjo in NYC.

Under the Piano is a collection of original music that celebrates the melodic potential of drumming and rhythm. Influenced by myriad teachers from powerful music traditions, it sings with universal rhythms and inspired person experience.

OffBeat, an all women’s group, performs inspiring rhythms influenced by the great traditions of West Africa and Brasil and by the evolving creativity of the drummers.  Named for their unique character and sense of humor, they hope to create an inclusive, celebratory environment with each performance.  Directed by Ellen Clegg.

For more information about Ellen’s new CD, including how you can purchase either the physical or downloadable product, click here.

Here are a few comments from some people who have heard it:

“Deep and profound.”
“So full of wordless emotion.”
“Mystical.”
“It is a meditation.”
“I’d love to work out to that!”
“I’d love to listen to it while I settle into my new apartment.”
“The whole CD is like a journey.”
“So beautiful.”
“So listenable for a whole CD of drumming.  So melodic.”

If you’ve already purchased Ellen’s CD, we’d love to know what you think of it. Please share your comments below.

Want to hear some sound samples? Click here to listen!

If you’d like to support Ellen’s work and add Ellen’s latest creation to your CD collection, please consider purchasing “Under the Piano”. You can purchase either the physical CD, and have it shipped directly to you free of charge, or you can download it and be listening to it in just about five minutes. You’ll find both options below:

Shipping is Free!

You can also download Ellen’s music directly from DigStation. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it’s a great way to quickly get Ellen’s music playing on your computer, MP3 player, home or auto stereo system, etc. Just click the logo below for more information: