Judy is nationally and internationally known for her extraordinary talents, exceptional skill, and generous, joyful spirit as performer, educator, music therapist, and workshop presenter.  After 35 years exploring music as an expressive art and therapeutic healing tool, she continues to study and be inspired by sound traditions from various world cultures.  She has been featured at Drums of Illumination Frame Drum Festival, The Kennedy Center Arabesque Fest (with Elmaz Abinader), at the Bali Spirit Festival (with Tony Khalife) and Bali Tribal Music Tours Retreat, at Sacred Maya Journey to the Yucatan, at Studio Maui, The Om Ball and Chants 4Change as part of the 2009 inauguration events (with Saul David Raye), at the National Women’s Music Festival (WI), at The Women’s World Drum & Percussion Happen’n (NY), in Japan Music Therapy circles and events, Bioneers Conferences, and Music Educator and Therapy Conferences.   She has recently completed a multi-year intensive Yogic Mystery School with Russill Paul after 15 years of exploring mantra and sound from the Indian perspective.  Find out more at Judy’s web site and her My Space.
            
 
“Judy Piazza is the very embodiment of the concept of world music. Her artistry is rooted in the rhythms and melodies of peoples and cultures from around the world – from ethereal Native American chants and flute to the delicate gossamer strains of her dulcimer and guitar work to the haunting echoes of the aboriginal didgeridoo to the powerful beat of the many drums and percussion instruments of which she is master. Judy’s vocals and stories weave these disparate musical elements into a seamless and unforgettable experience.”  – Bud & Donna Ford, The Dulcimer Shop, Manitou Springs, CO

Sena Kugbega is from Cape Coast, Ghana, (West Africa) and has been teaching drum and dance since she was 13 years old. As a young girl growing up, she always knew what she wanted to do. Sena Kugbega has also travelled with her mother, Award winning only female master drummer in Ghana Adwoa Kudoto, throughout the US teaching and performing in Washington, New York, Atlanta and California,etc. Sena was always willing to learn, learning how to have fun drumming and dancing. Dancing has always been part of her life and she does it with enthusiasm and joy. Sena is an excellent teacher and her classes are always fun with lots of room for plenty of laughter!

Sheree Seretse

Sheree received her initial training through renowned musician and composer Dumisani “Dumi” Maraire. She has facilitated many workshops around the country and has toured extensively around the globe.

Sheree believes that marimba music is accessible to everyone.

Sue Lundquist

Sue Lundquist has had a passion for music since she can remember. As a child she studied piano and guitar and longed to play the drums.

Forty years ago girls were not encouraged to play. True to her desire to learn she finally found her path on the drum twenty years ago. Carolyn Brandy has been her inspiration and primary teacher of Afro-Cuban music on congas and bata drums. Recently, she has been studying and performing West African music with Ryan Camara

Sue has been sharing her knowledge and joy for drumming with adults and children in private classes and in the public schools. She currently performs with Blue Lightning(a dance band) and with Asesu Hand in Hand Drummers.

Thoz Womenz

Our style is women’s – not Northern nor Southern. It is our hope that our songs are accepted with the respect in which we share them. Language is the foundation of culture. Our original songs have daily messages seeking to preserve the Cherokee language. Language preservation towards cultural resilience is a goal we share with many other women’s drums. Like those drums, we seek to serve our communities.

o – gi – na – li – i o – tsa – tla – nv – dlv – i
(My friend. We are all sisters and brothers.)

Visit Thoz Womenz’ website for more information about them and their music.

Tonya Lyles

Tonya Lyles–Based in Austin Texas, Tonya “Onye” Lyles has founded SistaDrums to rejuvenate, invigorate, and uplift a community through teaching the art of hand-drumming and movement linked to traditional world rhythms.

Tonya’s drum path began at four years old. Her first drum was a tambourine played in a gospel choir where she sang and performed weekly. In 1994, her path converged with the West African djembe drum in Las Cruces, NM. Her drumming style has been greatly influenced by her teachers, Babatunje Olatundje Alseny Sylla, Karuna Warren, Edwina Tyler, Mohamed Camara, M’bembe Bangora, Ibrahim Diakate, Mouminatou Camara, Abdoulye Diakate, and Moussa Taore.

Tonya plays the djembe, djundjun, balaphon, shakaree, shakara, congas, bangos, cajon, Mrimba, talking drum, and dumbek. She has been playing and performing traditional rhythms on djembe since 1994 and currently teaches in Austin, Texas. Her performance experiences range from solo artist to member of a sixteen piece West African drum and dance ensemble. Drum on Sistas Drum!