Leonice Shinneman is recognized as the foremost American disciple of the legendary North Indian tabla and pakhawaj master Pandit Taranath Rao.



Broadening his expertise in the Farukkhabad style of tabla performance, Leonice continues his studies with Pandit Ravi Bellare. Leonice's original research on calculations within the tala system has shed new light on the art of improvising rhythmic resolutions in real-time. Lessons with renowned South Indian Ghatam master T.H. Subash Chandran have led to his mastery of Karnatic percussion. Ustad Alla Rakha, T.R. Harihara Sarma, Swapan Chaudhuri and T.R. Rajamani were also his teachers.



Leonice Shinneman has given tabla and pakhawaj solos in Europe, India, Mexico and the U.S.A. and has performed Indian classical music in concert with Amiya Dasgupta, L. Shankar, Ganasaraswathy, Zakir Hussain and Rajeev Taranath. Numerous concerts with Ghanaian master drummers Alfred and Kobla Ladzekpo have given Leonice extensive knowledge of African Ewe style.



Shinneman has recorded and worked with Frank Zappa, Howard Levi, Gino Vannelli, Kiss, Kula Shaker and is heard on the SWR 4cd set "New Jazz Meeting 2000", Leonice composed and performed music for the theatrical premiere of "Naga Mandala", and has played on several prominent film scores including "Drugstore Cowboy" and "Aliens3".



Leonice Shinneman was co-founder of the world music group Dark whose recordings "Dark" and "Tamna Voda" were produced by CMP records. Combining East Indian and West African Rhythms, Leonice performs utilizing an innovative drum kit of his own design. He holds several U.S. patents for original percussion equipment and received his BFA and MFA from California Institute of the Arts, where he also served on the faculty. Leonice resides in North Hollywood, CA.