Colleen Caffrey
Colleen Caffrey is a professional facilitator and teaching artist providing rhythm-based educational programs to schools, community organizations, wellness groups, and private events.
A musician and performer since her youth, Colleen studied classical piano, flute, and voice and was active in concert, jazz, and marching bands in school. In college she turned her attention toward more "serious” studies and for several years lost a regular connection with music. In 2003 she discovered the djembe as the perfect instrument for lifelong, recreational music-making.
“Most of us, beyond the age of 20-something are not going to start a band. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the experience of playing music with other people. Or that it’s not important for adults to have creative outlets, to continue learning, or to play. When I discovered drumming, I found it was a fast, accessible route to joining with people in a multitude of settings, in any part of the world to make music together. ”
Colleen has studied djembe and dunun in Atlanta with renowned percussionists Chuck Cogliandro, Aly Camara, and Mahiri Keïta. She is currently a student of Bill Scheidt, a professor in the Tam Tam Mandingue (TTM) international school of West African drumming and has completed workshops with Guinean djembe masters Famoudou Konaté, Bolokada Conde, and TTM founder, Mamady Keïta.
Colleen is a past member and musical director of the all-women’s drumming group, ConunDRUMS. She currently performs with the West African percussion ensemble, Ten Blocks Away.
Colleen has trained as a drum circle facilitator with Drum Circle Music™, is a member of the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild and has been a guest facilitation-team member with Drum Magic and Get Rhythm!®
Colleen has a background in human resources, workforce diversity, and non-profit administration. She holds a B.S. in Human Development from Cornell University.