Biography
Marla Leigh Goldstein is one of the few female professional frame drummers in the world today. She is a award -winning percussionist and flautist, and an internationally-recognized educator, performer and composer.
As a classically trained-musician, Marla began playing at the age of three and never stopped. With a BFA and MFA in Percussion from California Institute of Arts, she studied under the great percussion masters Glen Velez, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Randy Gloss and Layne Redmond.
Marla is passionate about exploring rhythm from different cultures around the world. She loves bringing people together and sharing through the universal language of rhythm. Marla is CEO of Frame Drum Academy, a global community that currently hosts two signature programs, Frame Drum 101 (Beginner) and Frame Drum 202 (Intermediate) – and is enjoyed by frame drum students from around the world. She also created her own line of signature frame drums with the Cooperman Company.
Marla also offers Rhythm & Rejuvenation Retreats”, co-ed drumming & wellness retreats at places such as, Esalen Institute, Harbin, Kalani and other beautiful places around the world. Marla also offers frame drum focused educational workshops & residency programs for conventions, Yoga Studios, Universities, and Synagogues. Marla has presented clinics at evens such as Tambouri Mundi Festival in Germany, Zurich Arts Festival NAFDA Festivals in Vermont and New Jersey and California PAS Day of Percussion and Asheville Percussion Festival.
Marla passionately believes in the power of music to help transform consciousness. As a composer, her music has been featured on Hala Khouri’s yoga DVD, “Yoga for Stress Release”, Janet Stone’s iphone Yoga application, the movie “Bold Native” and “The Cellist.” She was also commissioned to compose music for the University of Kentucky and Brooklyn Middle School.
Marla is incredibly excited to be releasing her own long-awaited debut album and music video in April 2020. Rhythms of Tof Miriam was recorded in Israel and brings together many exceptional artists, including acclaimed Israeli oudist Yair Dalal. Timeless but fresh, spicy but rich, mellow but uplifting, comforting but mysterious: That is the Tof Miriam experience! Her second studio album will be released in Winter of 2023.
Marla has shared the stage with incredible artist such as Grammy Winner Percussionist, Glen Velez, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Trichy Sankaran, Poovalar Srinivasaan, Alfred Ladzekpo Nyomen Wenten, Craig Taubman, Josh Nelson, Hand’s Onsemble, Jai Uttal, Donna Delory, Joey Lugassy, Saul David Raye, and Suzanne Sterling.
Marla received a Bachelor and Master Degrees in Flute, Percussion and Composition 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.
ABOUT MARLA’S TEACHERS:
Marla’s AMAZING teachers/mentors include 4Time Grammy Winning Percussionist, Glen Velez, the late Frame Drum scholar Layne Redmond, meastro Frame Drum/Percussionist John Bergamo, Randy Gloss, Meastro Swapan Chadhuri, Poovalar Srinivasaan, Alfred Ladzekpo, Kobla Ladzekpo and Trichy Sankaran.
Pictures below of Marla’s Teachers, from right to left:
John Bergamo, Glen Velez, Pandit Swapan Chadhuri, Poovalar Sriviasaan and Randy Gloss
Marla Endorses:
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Marla’s Musical Services:
MUSICIAN FOR HIRE:
- Marla is available for touring + recording for ensembles, artists, dance companies – looking for that special world music flavor – with percussion and/or flutes.
- Can read music improvise easily in any meter and comfortable playing to click track in all speeds.
MUSIC:
- Marla’s Original World Ambient Music
- Marla’s Solo Live-Looping + Ensemble Concerts
- In-home ready to go set up for pro-audio recording for artists and ensembles.
- Sound bites for world music samplers/composers
EXPERIENCE THE RHYTHM:
- Skype Music Lessons
- Drum Workshops for Kids and Adults
- Transformational Drum & Wellness Retreats
- Drumming programs + concerts for Yoga Studios
- Cooperate & Team Building Drumming Circles
- Tof Miriam” + Music Jewish Music programs for Synagogues
- College Drum Clinics & Residency Programs
