Cast

Valerie Dee Naranjo (percussionist, vocalist, composer, clinician) is a Southern Coloradoan of Ute (Native American) descent. She holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in music education, performance and ethnomusicology, and has apprenticed with some of America and West Africa's master percussionists, including Leigh Howard Stevens, Gordon Stout, Dave Samuels, Ladji Kamara, Godwin Agbeli, Adama Drame and Kakraba Lobi.

Valerie is the percussionist for NBC's Saturday Night Live Band and performs regularly with Broadway's mega-hit musical The Lion King. She has performed with The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, The Paul Winter Consort, Tori Amos, Airto Moreira, and the international percussion ensemble MEGADRUMS. She was named "World Music Percussionist of the Year 2005", as winner of DRUM! Magazine reader's poll in that category.

Learn more about Valerie at MandaraMusic.com