Ami Molinelli is an American percussionist and educator specializing in Brazilian, Latin and American percussion.  She co-leads the Brazilian Jazz Collective, Grupo Falso Baiano and works with projects like Duo Violǎo plus One as well as freelance projects.

Ami received her Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts.  Her performance and recording credits include theater, television (NBC).  She is a freelance performing artist as well.  She is endorsed by Latin Percussion (LP) and Rhythm Tech.

Her favorite instrument, the Pandeiro inspired her to write a book “Pandeiro Basics” available through Mel Bay publishing.

Ami received her Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts.

Her extensive performance and recording credits include theater, television (NBC) and live performances with artists such as Billy Hart, Nilson Matta, Jovino Santos Neto, Marco de Carvalho, George Duke, John Heard, and more.

Education:

Her curriculum has been used and published in clinics and education workshops including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the San Francisco Jazz Center, LosAngeles Music Center, HeadStart, and more. Ami believes the arts are an “endangered” and the deepest expression of our cultural values, community and expression. She co-founded and is the current Executive Director of Music Is First! Music Is First! brings music to early education classrooms in urban neighborhoods with music and literacy integration. She works at clinics and camps such as: California Brazil Camp, Jazz Camp West, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and Cazadero Performing Arts Family Camp.

For more information about Ami, please visit www.amimo.com