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Hope has been playing percussion for over twenty years.
The drum has been a tool of spirit as well as a voice for her. Her first djembe drum teacher was Babatunde Olatunje, from Nigeria, and she has studied djembe, cajon, shakers, and a variety of percussion instruments with master drummers in West Africa, Peru, and Brazil. She is honored to use indigenous instruments on a modern stage. Hope loves sharing this powerful instrument and encouraging others to find their voice with the drum.
She has also facilitated drum circles and taught rhythm classes of all ages to over 2,500 participants. She has used the drum to teach at-risk youth groups as well as in women's circles for healing to help women strengthen their confidence and voices.
Hope continues to teach both private and group classes- online and in Hawaii. She has created "How to DRUM" videos on Djembe and Cajon that will be released to share her knowledge with others.
Hope's newest project is CedarWing~ started in 2018 when Hope relocated for a year to the Appalachian mountains. She formed a trio of women including Robin Lewis and Aradhana Silvermoon featuring guitar, banjo, ukelele, cajon and all three of their harmonic voices weaving tapestries of sound and melody. World Soul Folk with a groove.
Hope has been the percussionist for Nahko & Medicine for the People since 2007, her drumming is featured on both On the Verge as well as Dark as Night albums. Hope was on an international Medicine tour all through 2012 -2015, from Bali to Australia, Hawaii to Jamaica, NYC to New Zealand, Minneapolis to San Franciso, & and Portland to L.A. and on ... while finishing her third solo album as well!
Now, Hope is continuing to collaborate and perform with other musicians who inspire her. There are lots of new sounds coming out of her music lab as Hope has been incorporating loop stations and sweet sonic effects to her acoustic world percussion to enrich the musical flavors.
Hope is the co-founder & and co-producer of MAnaFest music, arts, & and education festival on the Big Island of Hawaii, which is a co-ed event, that features female musicians and artists. This event continues to grow, in size and scope each year- hosting 30 workshops on healing & cultural arts and featuring 28 bands fronted by women, as well as a red tent, Tea Area, Mana Marketplace & and Keiki Zone with children's activities. Manafest playfully integrates ceremony with celebration in a lush tropical setting of beauty and Aloha. 2020 will be its 6th year of production. Everyone is Welcome!
2017 Album ~ Bring to Light
Several years in the making, through Hope's journey as a touring musician & into motherhood, this diverse album reflects her rich experience as a percussionist for over 20 years, her wide range of world influences, over 8 years performing with Medicine for the People, as well as her own unique feminine style.
Hope plays instruments ranging from the African djembe drum, banjo Cajon, European handpan, native flute, Brazilian berimbau, Middle Eastern frame drum & and doumbek, to Indian harmonium, and beyond to create a powerful and dreamlike soundscape for both dancing and going deep.
Collaborators include Max Ribner, Chase Makai & Tim Snider of Medicine for the People, Ayla Nereo of WildLight, SaraTone, Water Eye, Michael Stirling, DJ Inner Forest, and more!
Once again, she brings us 14 tracks of hip-notice urban world music, layers of tight percussion & sweet vocals wrapped in
feminine soul!!!
2013 Album- Purify
"This album is a journey of women’s vocal chants and spoken word woven together with deep rhythms to create a powerful and sensual journey. It is great during yoga, massage, meditation, dance, or relaxation- and will be enjoyed by anyone whose intention is to connect with the earth, their root source of energy and spirit through music!"
In 2011, Back to the Mother was Hope's rootsy first solo album, was Recorded at New North Sound & Fifth Son Records 2011
supported by very talented songstresses:
Michelle Chandler, Sara Tone, Lilla D'Mone, Water Dropz,
Moorea Masa, Summer Fawn Moselle & Aliina Champion
2011 Album- Back to The Mother
"This album is a journey of women’s vocal chants and spoken word woven together with deep rhythms to create a powerful and sensual journey. It is great during yoga, massage, meditation, dance, or relaxation- and will be enjoyed by anyone whose intention is to connect with the earth, their root source of energy and spirit through music!"
In 2011, Back to the Mother was Hope's rootsy first solo album, was Recorded at New North Sound & Fifth Son Records 2011
supported by very talented songstresses:
Michelle Chandler, Sara Tone, Lilla D'Mone, Water Dropz,
Moorea Masa, Summer Fawn Moselle & Aliina Champion
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