Performer, Master Teacher and Inspirational Speaker based in New York (USA). Ubaka is a creatively authentic, energetic performer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, public speaker, and teacher of hand drumming for more than 30 years throughout the United States and other countries. Ubaka says “my soul-vision and intention is to facilitate and inspire personal transformation, empowerment, healing and joy with music that moves you”.
Ubaka creatively weaves percussion, poetry and song to inspire a positive uplifting atmosphere for her diverse audiences everywhere she teaches and performs. She performs solo and with her ensemble RHYTHM DANCE, multi-instrumental and multi-cultural ensemble of talented musicians.
Ubaka’s music is unique and embraces many styles to create authentic, melodic and rhythmic musical forms from sacred to secular, ancient to contemporary. Her live performances and recorded music reflect our expanding drumming traditions, beliefs and changing times. With her vocals and spoken word poetry Ubaka’s instruments include the Djembe, Ube, Conga and Ashiko drums, Didgeridoo, Udu, and various percussion instruments.
Her primary focus as a teacher of hand drumming is to encourage, motivate, empower and stimulate joyfulness. Ubaka creates environments to reconnect with ancient wisdom and drumming traditions using sound as a tool for personal transformation, healing and celebration; to re-activate our relationship to rhythm and pulse, to learn how to participate in community drum circles and group music making; recognize ourselves as active participants on the continuum of folkloric drumming and musical traditions; to foster positive public recognition, awareness and appreciation of the evolving women’s drumming culture.
Founder of the Million Women Drummers Gathering Global Initiative (MWDG) and the Drumsong Institute Museum and Archive of Women’s Drumming Traditions of women’s ancient, contemporary folkloric and contemporary drum and percussion traditions. She is one of the co-founders of the Catskill Women’s World Drum & Percussion Happen’n. She is creator of the DrumMa Award, which acknowledges women drummers who are pioneers. Ubaka is also a member of the Advisory Council of the Women’s Leadership Center at Omega Institute, NY.