Rawhide Owl Rattle

Gary Halbach, Owner, Living Drums

Gary was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1951. He attended UW-Oshkosh, majoring in social work, and was the Director of the Addiction Treatment Education Program at Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford, IL, when his interest in drumming began in the late 80's.

Gary studied the art of drum making with an Objibwe Native in New Mexico, and says, "To me, drumming is the spiritual made physical by the sound and motion of the drum."

In October of 1991 Gary went through the New Warrior Training Adventure where his mission became: "Carry the spirit and energy of the drum to men and women throughout the world."

Drums have connected Gary to people throughout the country. Gary's background in counseling has made him realize that a lot of counseling can be done in ways that are not spoken, and that includes the emotions and feelings that go on with people drumming.

Four of Gary's 24" Ceremonial Drums were used during the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on February 8, 2002 in Salt Lake City!

Living Drums. Experience the call of the drum, the spirit of the drum, the heartbeat of the drum.