Bios
Shumba Youth Marimba Ensemble
Some Shumba members taking some time out after their performance at the Brooklyn Children's Museum, February 2006
Abdul L, Jr., Age 11
Abdul comes to Shumba with a rich and diverse background. He draws from his Puerto Rican, Native American, African and Caucasian roots when he plays. Abdul has studied marimbas intensively for four years with Sheree Seretse, as well as with several other Zimbabwean marimba greats. He has composed two pieces-Mombe Dzinufuru and Grandad's Mix and is working on his third composition-Mombe 2. Abdul loves the feeling he gets when he looks into the audience and sees the joy Shumba's music brings to others. Other interests include shooting hoops, playing soccer and reading. He is incredibly grateful to Shumba for their love and support on this magical musical journey.
Ben J, Age 12
Ben was born in Seattle and has played marimba since he was in second grade. He joined Shumba in 2005. Ben says that he loves the feeling that playing marimba gives him: “It sends me to a different place and I feel the vibrations in my body." Ben has also played piano for five years. In addition to his music, he is interested in basketball, math, science and rock and roll music.
Carly P, Age 13
Carly was born and raised in Maui, Hawaii. She played piano and sax before discovering marimba at her elementary school. She loves the camaraderie of playing with the other eight members of Shumba. “We’re like a family. After a solo and everyone else joins in there’s a moment where everyone looks up at each other with great big smiles on their faces. It is pure joy to listen to and experience.” Carly has lots of interests. She is homeschooled, swims on a competitive team, works at the preschool at her church and is a leader in her youth group. She also loves hanging out with her friends.
Gabriel S, Age 10
Music has always been an important part of Gabriel’s life. He started playing marimba when he was five, and was very excited to have the opportunity to join Shumba in 2005. He loves the community of Shumba and appreciates how supportive all the members are of each other. “Shumba has taught me a lot about focus and discipline. Performing gives you a feeling of really accomplishing something,” Gabriel says. In addition to playing marimba, Gabriel plays piano and drums, and has performed extensively with Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre.
Janak J-P, Age 9
Janak was born in Bombay, India and has always had a passion for music. He has been studying marimba intensively with Sheree Seretse since he was five years old, joining Shumba in 2004. He says: “When I play marimba, all of my other thoughts get pushed out of my mind and I go to a place of supreme beauty.” He loves when he looks into the crowd and sees everybody smiling and clapping because making others happy makes him happy too. Janak has composed one marimba piece called Gaali. Janak has also been playing piano for almost three years. In addition to music, he loves playing baseball or wall ball, reading and writing, hiking and playing with his pet rats.
Jesse S, Age 12
Jesse was born in Seattle and has played marimba since the age of six. He joined Shumba in early 2004. Jesse loves playing marimba and feels very fortunate to be working with this talented group of players with whom he is very close. For Jesse, “Playing marimba in front of an audience sends me into a different world which makes it a truly amazing experience.” Jesse also plays guitar, and has performed in numerous musical theatre productions with Broadway Bound Children’s Theatre.
Maya H-S, Age 14
Maya has been playing marimba since the third grade. She is of Swedish and African-American descent and has lived in West Africa, where she is looking forward to returning. She has been with Shumba since it began four years ago. In addition to marimba, she plays guitar and played vibraphone in a school band. Maya is also a very serious dancer and dances both hip-hop and modern. She wants to be a professional dancer and run her own dance studio. Also in her free time Maya likes to make films, and has even traveled to participate in a film festival in Southern California. Mostly, though, she loves to hang out with friends.
Sam F, Age 11
Sam was born in Chicago to a family of diverse musical talents and interests including classical, jazz, rock, pop, and musical poetry, and is always surrounded by music. After three years of studying marimba in school with Sheree Seretse, Sam joined Shumba in 2003 to push himself further. Sam likes playing in Shumba because “we are all friends and everybody works together really well.” When not playing marimba, Sam enjoys reading, listening to good music, playing soccer, baseball, and video games. One of Sam’s favorite parts of Shumba is “when we perform and the crowd cheers us on, it makes me feel proud of the work I have done to play the music the way we do.”
Stella P, Age 10
Stella joined Shumba in 2006 after studying African marimba with Claire Jones at Music Works Northwest in Bellevue for over a year. She has also studied percussion with Ryan Dignan and Gunnar Folsom at Music Works for 4 years and has been a member of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra Symphonette for the last two years. Stella loves the energy and tradition of African marimba ensemble music and enjoys listening to a wide variety of traditional and contemporary African music. Outside of music, Stella is a member of the Ben Franklin Elementary math club, enjoys reading, Pokemon, and playing with her two cats, Max and Sweetie.
Jekelle W, Age 12
Jekelle was born and raised in Seattle and has been playing marimbas since 3rd grade. She has always had a great passion for music and is very excited that she has been given the opportunity to play with Shumba. Jekelle is new to Shumba, as she joined in September of 2006. Jekelle wants to experience life at its best and feel she can do that through the amazing music that Shumba produces. Outside of the band, she loves staying active in sports, drama, writing, and all other forms of art. She loves people and enjoys building friendships every where she goes. Jekelle feels that being part of a band such as Shumba will be an extraordinary experience and one awesome journey!
Gabriel J, Age 13
One of Shumba's original members, Gabe J. has moved to Colorado. Gabe will always be a part of this ensemble through his incredible spirit. Our band would not be who we are without you!