Ubaka Hill is an authentically original, energetic performer, composer, songwriter, recording artist, motivational speaker, conference weaver, teacher and facilitator of hand drumming workshops for more than 25 years throughout the United States. Her soul-vision and intention is to facilitate and inspire personal transformation, empowerment, healing and joy with music that moves you.



Ubaka Hill plays her signature "Ube" drum, djembe drum and various other percussion instruments of different cultures including gongs, hand drums, rattles, didgeridoo and singing bowls. Her music is intentional and indefinable, inspired by her appreciation of celtic, jazz, latin, african, shamanic, folkloric, aboriginal and contemporary music, including the art of creative improvisation.



Ubaka Hill creatively weaves percussion, poetry and song to inspire a positive, energetic atmosphere for her diverse audiences to sing and dance with her in solo performances and with The ShapeShifters, her multi-instrumental and multi-cultural, professional ensemble of talented musicians.



Ubaka Hill is the Founder and Curator of The Drumsong Institute Museum and Archive of Women's Drumming Traditions of North America, the first of its kind about women's folkloric and contemporary hand drumming in the United States. She is also one of the visionaries and co-producers of the annual Catskill Women's World Drum & Percussion Happen'n in upstate New York. She is creater of the DrumMa Award.



Extending and sharing her joy of drumming, Ubaka Hill founded and directs The Drumsong Orchestra. The Drumsong Orchestra are the participants of her Drumsong Workshop. This has become her signature format of teaching and performing. Hundreds have attended Ubaka's Drumsong workshops. Ubaka has been called "a mid-wife of drummers". (More About Ubaka Hill)



Ubaka Hill's workshops series Drumsong The Art and Spirit of Drumming is presented to people of all ages, various skill levels and physical abilities including deaf and hard of hearing throughout the US, including Hawaii, Alaska, and internationally in Canada, Australia and Japan; at local, national and international music festivals, community centers, healthcare facilities, holistic retreat centers, coffeehouses, conferences and concert halls. Reviews



Ubaka Hill has worked in creative collaboration and co-facilitation with many artists, and presenters; Vicki Noble, Kay Gardner, Randy Crafton, Aleah Long, Judy Piazza, Barry Bernstien, Elizabeth Lesser, Maria Breyer, Bev Grant, Hattie Gossett and Afia Walking Tree. She has recorded with Alex Olsen, Shawna Carol, and Xtine Baczewska.



Ubaka Hill has received numerous artist and community service awards. In a 2001 Drum Magazine national poll, she was voted 3rd as "Best Workshop Facilitator". She received "Drummer of the Year Award 2002 from The Voices of Africa Choral Ensemble, Inc. In 2005 and 2006 Ubaka Hill was given Honorary Citizenship and Proclamation of "Ubaka Hill Day" by the City of Harrisburg, PA. She has also received awards for her community work with arts and leadership development.