Biography

Performer/composer/educator Marla Leigh Goldstein specializes in Middle Eastern and Indian Percussion and flute. Growing up in a musical family in Rochester, N.Y, she was blessed to have started her musical journey at young age, learning piano at age 5 and flute at age 8.  Almost immediately after entering college (CalArts) for Jazz Flute, Marla was introduced to the incredible world of hand drumming and her life musically shifted!!!.

Marla performs as a soloist, incorporating flute, hand drums, voice and electronics and she also leads her own ensemble, (“Marla's Sacred Rhythm Experience”). She has performed around the world,  at events such including: The Skirball Center, Sounds of the Sacred Music Festival in Los Angeles  The Harmony Festival, The Knitting Factory, Earth Day Festival, Luzerne Switzerland Music Festival, Bali Arts Festival, Percussive Arts Convention and at the Hawaii Healing Festival. Marla is also a prominent composer, blending world music with Western music, and has been commissioned to compose works for dance ensembles, movies, universities and for short animation films.You can also find her drumming with various hybrid world music ensembles (her favorite), folk singers and with other types of sacred music ensembles.

Currently, Marla resides in Los Angeles, CA, where she is an active educator and performer.  She has been featured on many CD's, including ] "Division By Zero", music for yoga and meditation. Also, Marla recently released a Percussion Instructional Duet DVD, called "Time Zone" with percussionist Ken Shorley, you can view video clips of this DVD at the website.  Marla also organizes and teaches at Drumming Retreats in beautiful places around the world. 

Marla's newest project that she is glowing about  is her debut album entitled "Rhythms in Peace".  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. It will also include live music recorded on an upcoming journey to Morocco.  Marla is also working on designing her own Signature Frame Drum with Cooperman Company, which will be available mid-January 2008