Biography                   ((**Click here for Curriculum Vitae **))

Marla Leigh is a Los Angeles based professional Percussionist, Flautist, Composer and Educator, who specializes in the frame drum.  She is a well-recognized teacher and performer in the world of frame drumming, and has created a unique approach both in playing and in teaching this instrument.  In addition to the frame drum, Marla also plays Indian Tabla, Kanjira, African Dgembe, Djun Djun, Brekete, Middle Eastern Riq, Dunbeck, and a hybrid world percussion set.

Marla carries the gift of being an inspiring, energetic and patient teacher, and she offers drumming workshops and retreats in the USA, Canada
and Mexico. Marla has taught drumming clinics at events such as Tambouri Mundi festival in Germany,  North American Frame Drum Association (NAFDA), conventions in New Jersey, Los Angeles and Vermont, California Institute of the Arts, and at the California PAS Day of Percussion.  She has also lead drumming retreats at Esalen Institute, Kalani, and Harbin Hot Springs, to name a few.In 2008, Marla designed her own Signature Series frame drum model, “The Marla Tar”, with the Cooperman Drum Company and is currenty working on a new model.; This drum has now been sold in USA, Canada, London, Japan, Korea and Australia!  Marla also released a Hand Drum Instructional DVD, "Time Zone", with percussionist Ken Shorley, and is currently working on finishing her second DVD, "The Radiant Drummer".

Marla leads her own eclectic world music ensemble, “Rhythmjuju”, as well, performs a live looping solo ambient electronic show..  Her music is a (organic,non-alcoholic) cocktail of sounds similar to that of Peter Gabriel’s “Passion”, Niyaz, Mickey Heart’s “Planet Drum” and Dead can Dance. Her popular performances have been at places such as: The Skirball Center, PASIC Convention, The Knitting Factory, Luzurne Music Festival, Bali Arts Festival, Hawaii Arts Festival, Sacred Music Festival Los Angeles, Topanga Earth Day Festival and the Harmony Festival.. Marla is very active in the West Coast world/sacred music scene and has played with artists such as Suzanne Sterling, Donna Delory (Madonna), Hamsa Lila, Joey Lugassy and Saul david Raye

As a composer, she writes dynamic cross-cultural world music scores for film, tv and yoga/healing arts DVD's.  Marla’s original music can be heard on Hala Khouri’s yoga DVD, “Yoga for Stress Release”, and the movie “Bold Native” and short animation, “The Cellist”. She has also been commissioned to compose pieces for University of Kentucky and Brooklyn Middle School.

Marla's newest project that she is glowing about  is her debut album entitled "Rhythms in Ahava".  to be recorded both in the USA and Israel .  She is very excited about this project as it is allowing her to collaborate with prominent world music artists and producers from around the world.   Marla has shared the stage with incredible artist such as Glen Velez, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Trichy Sankaran, Poovalar Srinivasaan, , Nyomen Wenten and the Hand's Onsemble.  Marla received a Bachelor and Master Degrees in Music from California Institute of the Arts, and has also studied at Ali Akbar College in San Rafael and at the Bhavan Center in London, England.

Marla has taught drumming workshops at Harbin Hot Springs, CA (2008, 2009), Haramara Retreat Center, Sayulita, Mexico (2008), Kalani Retreat Center, Big Island, Hawaii (2003), Exhale Center for Sacred Movement, Venice, CA (2010), Bhakti Festival, Joshua Tree, CA (2009),North American Frame Drum Association Conventions (NAFDA), in Vermont, New Jersey and Los Angeles, CA (2008, 2009), Yoga World, Long Beach, CA (2009), Lightening in the Bottle Festival, Santa Barbara, (2009),Topanga Earth Day Festival, Topanga, CA (2007-2010), Middle Eastern Music Camp, Mendocino, CA (2008), Ruach Ranch, Topanga CA (2007), Center for Spiritual Studies, Topanga CA (2003) Infinite Yoga Studio, San Diego, CA (2003) and Yoga Yoga Studio, Valencia CA (2002).   She is very grateful for all of her teachers that have taught her about the INCREDIBLE art of hand drumming! In particular, she would like to thank her teachers, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Randy Gloss, Poovalar Srinivasan, Trichy Sankaran, Glen Velez and Alfred Ladzekpo. Stay in touch with Marla’s upcoming events, join her mailing list, receive special updates and unreleased tracks….join the RHYTHMJUJU Family     Marla endorses        drums.