Earth and all the elementals have been my earliest musical influences! ... listening to the wind through pine trees as a kid, meandering for hours and hours along flowing creeks, ancient stones, and wooded paths ... I heard, hummed, and sang. High school folk singing/guitar (I sat for hours behind closed doors droning out Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, and Judy Collins songs) gave me my base. Classical guitar study in my late teens and college music therapy degree program taught me more about the beauty of the melodic form, the way that strings warm and open the heart.
Years later, rhythm became my focus, and work with the voice. Both gave me the tools to get through a difficult divorce! I met Glen Velez, and felt such anticipation and excitement around Glen, around his drumming, watching his hands dance. Glen gave me a frame drum, and I was hooked. Eventually, I was influenced by so many teachers and friends, including Ubaka Hill, Allessandra Belloni, Russill Paul, Silvia Nakkach, Karim Bader, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Nikolai, and many others. I have had the good fortune of performing with some of these teachers (featured artist on Ubaka Hill's currrent CD "Beyond the Wind"), as well as with so many others, including Gordy Ryan, Bill Miller, Joe Reilly, Melanie Hutton, Shanti Shivani, Tony Khalife, Repercussions, Ann Arbor Kirtan, Gemini, and many more.
Judy Piazza is an extraordinarily talented woman inspired, studied, and caught up in sound traditions near and far. Judy has been exploring music and sound for over thirty years as educator, researcher, music therapist, performer, workshop presenter and recording artist. Her first love was guitar, both classical and folk singer/songwriter styles. For fifteen years, it has been rhythm and voice that guides her fascination and fires her passion creatively and musically. Judy plays drums from around the world (including tar, riqq, bodhran, kanjira, daf, tambourine, djembe, doumbek...), alternative dulcimer, didgeridoo, native flute, and guitar, lacing vocal and songstyles in unique sonorous soundscapes and rhythmsongs ... Resonance & Rhythms that excite the spirit, calm the mind, expand the heart, and feed the body. Judy is available for workshops, conferences, festivals, school residency programs, house concerts, and more.
Find out more at her website www.resonanceandrhythms.com.
Judy can be reached at judypiazza@gmail.com, 248-563-0049
Judy, just checking in with you. Let me know when you come to Michigan again I'd love to do another lesson. My riq playing is improving.... Also was really drawn to Allesandra's S. Itailian playing, have you been to her workshop in Italy? Love to you
Hello Judy, Wonderful to have you featured on our site. Thank you for your contribution to the world of women frame drummers! Look forward to playing in January. Rhythmic Blessings, Miranda
The site is coming along nicely Judy. Now add some blogs (thoughts, quotes, creative writing stuff like you put in your email updates, a few more songs, some photos and videos and you are off and running.
Aloha and blessings to you, Judy! I'm so glad you're here. : ) It does take some getting used to, but soon enough - people will start finding YOU - and they're just going to love your spirit. Me ke aloha --
