Hillcrest Drummers Perform in the Senate Chamber

On July 13, 2010 Senator Ben Downing hosted students from Hillcrest Educational Centers in Lenox at the Massachusetts State House. The students performed twice during the day, on the Grand Staircase and in the Senate Chamber.

The Hillcrest Drummers are led be cultural educator and musician Aimee Gelinas is comprised of students from Hillcrest Educational Centers. The Hillcrest Drummers play folkloric West African and Afro-Caribbean music and co-create contemporary pieces that reflect and integrate current musical styles such as hip-hop, step dance/gum boot rhythms and drum line rhythms.
In addition to the musical learning, drumming classes help students learn peaceful group dynamics, appreciation for and knowledge or world cultures and the development of positive life skills such as concentration, negotiation, collaboration, self confidence, self discipline and self awareness.

Hillcrest Educational Centers is a private, not for profit child welfare agency that provides both residential and day treatment and special education services for children traumatized by abuse and neglect.

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News & Politics

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• Downing