Medieval Marimba

In this program, singer Naomi Columna and percussionist Katalin La Favre explore vocal works from the Medieval and Renaissance period navigating through the various colors of an instrument that was not yet in existence in Western culture, the marimba. The marimba takes on different musical roles, at times accompanying Columna’s nuanced voice with what was originally the gentle plucking of lute accompaniment, and at other moments, taking on the role of the voice in medieval duets harmonizing with Columna. Extended techniques, such as bowing the bars and adding preparations to the marimba explore unique sonic possibilities in this repertoire rarely heard on the instrument. Columna and La Favre look upon these early music masterpieces with contemporary eyes, performing works by composers such as John Dowland, Claudin de Sermisy, Alfonso Ferrabosco and Guillaume de Machaut.  

About the Artists

  • Marimba

    Coming from a family of scientists, percussionist Katalin La Favre (b. 1988, she/her) is the first member of her family to pursue a musical career. Though she began her musical studies as a harpist, she decided to become a percussionist and obtained a bachelor's degree in classical percussion from the Colburn School in Los Angeles. In 2012 she was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study with contemporary percussionist Jean Geoffroy at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in Lyon, France where she received a master's degree and artist diploma. She also received a degree in instrumental pedagogy from the CEFEDEM Auvergne Rhone-Alpes in 2018.

    Katalin remained in France for 9 years, where she became interested in interdisciplinary and non-traditional projects, working in collaboration for several innovative programs which have been performed in France, Germany, Scotland and Portugal. These programs have been vastly diverse, ranging from L’ombre des vagues (a program inspired by Virginia Woolf, combining contemporary music, contemporary dance, and poetry) to Zeee Match (a humoristic street theatre and music performance).

  • Voice

    Naomi Columna is a musician and artist focusing on new/experimental works and multidisciplinary collaborations. With a BM in Vocal Performance from the Cleveland institute of Music, (2016), and MM in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, (2019) Columna uses her western, classical training as a framework to reference, as well as a medium to manipulate. Columna is frequently featured in CUSP, the Cleveland Uncommon Sound Project, including debut performances of her own compositions, in ensemble Halumnen, a trio for Harp, Voice and Electronic Processing, as well as a guest performer for groups like the Jelly Ear ensemble, among other events. Through projects supported by SPACES Gallery and the Andy Warhol Foundation, as well as Maelstrom Collaborative Arts, Columna has also composed and directed original works/projects for multidisciplinary ensembles, such as DANCING_BANANAS.GIF, with directorial partner Melanie Emig, for live musicians and video, and Belong To You, for Prerecorded Ensemble, Video Installation, and Live Dancer. Later this year, Columna and partner, Katalin La Favre, Percussion, will be releasing their debut album, Mud Window Mud Mirror, for their newly founded duo of the same title, MWMM.