Marla Leigh Goldstein is one of the few female professional frame drummers in the world today. She is a Grammy-nominated percussionist and flautist, and an internationally-recognized educator, performer and composer.  

As a classically trained-musician, Marla began playing at the age of three and never stopped. With a BFA and MFA in Percussion from California Institute of Arts, she studied under the great percussion masters Glen Velez, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Randy Gloss and Layne Redmond.

Marla is passionate about exploring rhythm from different cultures around the world. She loves bringing people together and sharing through the universal language of rhythm. Marla is CEO of Frame Drum Academy, a global community that currently hosts two signature programs, Frame Drum 101 (Beginner) and Frame Drum 202 (Intermediate) – and is enjoyed by frame drum students from around the world.  She also created her own line of signature frame drums with the Cooperman Company. Marla also serves as an artist and advisor for the #hitlikeagirl Drum Summit

In 2020, Marla released her debut album, ‘Rhythms of Tof Miriam’, featuring exceptional artists, including acclaimed Israeli oudist, Yair Dalal. Timeless but fresh, spicy but rich, mellow but uplifting, comforting but mysterious: That is the Tof Miriam experience! 

Following on from the positive response to this debut, in the winter of 2022, Marla recorded her second album at Onyxstudio, Israel. This new album is crafted with mesmerizing Middle Eastern and Persian soundscapes, infusing flute, strings and hand percussion together and inviting the listener to travel to other worlds. (*release date Winter 2022)

Marla also offers Rhythm & Rejuvenation Retreats”, drumming & wellness retreats at beautiful places around the world. As well as frame drum-focused educational workshops & residency programs for conventions, Yoga Studios, Universities, and Synagogues.  

Marla has offered clinics at events such as Tambouri Mundi Festival in Germany, Zurich Arts Festival NAFDA Festivals in Vermont and New Jersey and California PAS Day of Percussion, Bali Festival for the Arts and Asheville Percussion Festival. 

Marla has shared the stage with incredible artist such as Grammy Winner Percussionist, Glen Velez, John Bergamo, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Trichy Sankaran, Poovalar Srinivasaan, Alfred Ladzekpo Nyomen Wenten, Craig Taubman, Josh Nelson, Hand’s Onsemble, Jai Uttal, and Donna Delory.

Marla passionately believes in the power of music to help transform consciousness. As a composer, her music has been featured on Hala Khouri’s yoga DVD, “Yoga for Stress Release”, Janet Stone’s iphone Yoga application, the movie “Bold Native” and “The Cellist.” She was also commissioned to compose music for the University of Kentucky and Brooklyn Middle School.

Marla received a Bachelor and Master Degrees in Flute, Percussion and Composition from California Institute of the Arts, and has also studied at Ali Akbar College in San Rafael and at the Bhavan Center in London, England.