History

The Elders Drum Project Inc. was founded by Marci Berman, Randi Carlson, and musician, Fré Atlast. The project began in an upstate nursing home in 1998. The main goal of the program was to address many of the common problems associated with living in a nursing home environment. Many people, once placed in a primary care facility, exhibit signs of depression, isolation, disorientation and loneliness. The Elders Drum Project provided a method of bringing residents together in creative activity and reconnecting them to the outside world. Using recycled materials, the Elders created their own instruments and played them together. They presented performances at the nursing home that were open to residents, staff, families, and members of the outside community.

The Elders were very inspired by creating their own drums and the staff soon found themselves with a surplus of vibrantly painted instruments. These drums were used in various public events, including schools, camps, festivals and parades. These events were documented in photographs, video tape and in news articles. The Elders were able to see the results of their work in the outside world, and it brought them much joy and satisfaction.

Some events where the Elders Drums have been featured are: Lincoln Center Outdoor Festival “Luna Opera” in NYC, The World Peace Festival in Amenia NY, New Milford Social Services Family Retreat in Colebrook CT, Shandaken Womens Network in Shandaken NY, Planet Peace Day Camp in Amenia NY, Florence Griswald Museum Art Festival in Old Lyme CT, Peace Ceremony at High Meadow School in Stone Ridge NY, Elders Art Exhibit at the Deep Listening Gallery in Kingston NY, NYSOTA Conference at Dominican College NY, University of Scranton in PA, LaGuardia College in NYC.

The Elders Drum Project program is still continuing in the original nursing home where it all began. Since then, our organization has grown to include a variety of programs and services for all ages. We have received a great deal of support from members and volunteers which have allowed our programs to grow and flourish . In 2003, we received our 501-(C)3 designation as a nonprofit organization. Here are some of the people that are contributing to our Vision:

Fré Atlast, Musician, Teacher, Musical Visionary, has been performing and teaching drumming for over 25 years. Her area of expertise, working with special populations, includes teaching at preschools, nursing homes, rehabs, and other institutions. She has been on the teaching staff of Potential Unlimited, since its inception as a summer music program for gifted developmentally disabled adults. She also co-produces a highly successful women’s drum camp that has been presented annually since 1998. Fre has led a weekly community drum group in Woodstock, N.Y. since 1994. She is the Program Director of The Elders Drum Project.

Reneé Englander is the Financial Coordinator of The Elders Drum Project.
She was President of Digit Witch Inc., a successful bookkeeping service whose clients included diamond merchants, real estate developers, and non-profit organizations. In 1986 she relocated to Woodstock, NY to pursue her artistic expression. She founded The Art Experience: Adventures in Art for Young People. She was director of Children's Programs for the Woodstock Artists Association. She is a visual artist whose work has been exhibited throughout the U.S. and she was invited to exhibit in the Biennale in Florence, Italy in 2001.

Marci Berman O.T.R./L. is an Occupational Therapist practicing in the Mid-Hudson area for over 22 years. She has worked extensively with the elderly and psychiatric populations, developing programs in rehab, long term care facilities, home-care, and adult day-care programs. Marci integrates her knowledge and skills from a diversity of areas such as Yoga, African Dance, drumming, gardening, and sewing into her therapy programs.

Randi Carlson C.O.T.A. is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant working in the field for over 18 years. She has worked extensively with the elderly in maintenance and restorative rehab programs. she has initiated and implemented all components of prevocational programs that included transitional employment and social/leisure activities for inpatient/outpatient psychiatric populations. Randi is a Certified Riding Instructor and has developed in-house riding programs for United Cerebral Palsy.