Marla Leigh
Marla Leigh Goldstein is a passionate artist and educator, bringing rhythm and connection to people around the world. As one of the few female professional frame drummers, she has found a way to blend tradition with her own creative voice, offering something truly unique and heartfelt.
Her journey with music began at the tender age of three, setting her on a lifelong path of exploration and learning. With a BFA and MFA in Percussion from the California Institute of the Arts, Marla had the privilege of studying with masters like Glen Velez, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Randy Gloss, and Layne Redmond—teachers who deeply shaped her craft and her love for rhythm.
Marla’s work is all about connection. Through her global online community, Frame Drum Academy, she helps students discover the joy of rhythm through her signature courses, Frame Drum 101 and Frame Drum 202. Her collaborations don’t stop there—she partnered with Cooperman Company to create her own line of frame drums, tools designed with care to inspire creativity in drummers of all levels.
In her music, Marla weaves together the sounds of her heart and the rhythms of the world. Her debut album, Rhythms of Tof Miriam, recorded in Israel with incredible artists like Yair Dalal, is a celebration of connection and culture. Now, she’s channeling that same spirit into her second album, creating music meant to heal and uplift.
Marla believes rhythm is a universal language that brings people together, and she’s honored to share it with her growing community. Whether through teaching, composing, or performing, her goal is always the same: to inspire joy and connection through the power of rhythm.
www.marlaleigh.com
https://open.spotify.com/album/2YwAtxsf7mUV47QOZvKexT
www.marlaleigh.com/framedrumacademy