Mary Oliver
Rhythm and Art Education Coordinator
Where I come from we say that rhythm is the soul of life, because the whole universe revolves around rhythm, and when we get out of rhythm, that’s when we get into trouble.”— Babatunde Olatunji
Where I come from we say that rhythm is the soul of life, because the whole universe revolves around rhythm, and when we get out of rhythm, that’s when we get into trouble.”— Babatunde Olatunji
Mary is a certified facilitator for HealthRHYTHMS and is a Village Music Circles Drum Circle Facilitator graduate. She has a background in education, having spent more than 30 years teaching visual and performing arts in Kentucky before relocating to Austin, Texas.
Today, Mary is a certified Reiki practitioner and an instrument maker, making percussion instruments from gourds. She also teaches art and music to adults with disabilities and works from time to time as a teaching artist for Art Spark Texas.
She has worked with NL since 2017 to help expand the use of rhythm, movement, and drumming into their model of Trauma-Informed Equine Assisted Services.
Mary uses NL principles in relating to her students and says she wished she had learned this model when she first started teaching as it would have helped her be of greater service to her students. Mary is a mom to two adult children who both live near her in Austin.
Get to know Mary.
- Bachelor of Arts in Art Education, Certified K-12
- Master of Arts in Elementary Education, Certified K-8
- National Board Certification in Early and Middle Music
- Founder of Spirit Rhythms, Austin, TX
- Trained Facilitator for Group Drumming as a tool for Health and Wellness
- Certified Reiki Practitioner
- Member of DCFG (Drum Circle Facilitators Guild)
