Marni Levitt Performing Artist Biography
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Marni Levitt has been writing and performing music for more than two decades.  She is a natural performer with a magnetic stage presence.  Inspired by African/World Music Drumming and Dance traditions, Jazz, RnB/Soul, Hip Hop, Yoga Chants and Folk Music, Marni performs original, intuitive pieces that engage and inspire.  Performing solo, or with The Marni Levitt Collective, her rhythmically-driven songs and powerful voice are often accompanied by body percussion, percussion instruments, djembe drum and guitar.  She performs for adults, as well as children and families.  Always eager to traverse new artistic territory, Marni has recently begun performing dance and spoken word in addition to music.

Marni crafts songs based on personal, social, ecological and spiritual themes.  They are often inspired and influenced by the spirit of her sister who passed away.  For Marni, a successful performance is transformative: the audience and artist are both moved by magical moments of spontaneous co-creation.

Marni began producing and performing shows for family and friends from a very early age.  As a young person she studied classical piano and violin.  Inspired by close friend, Doug Paisley, she later picked up guitar.  As soon as she could play a couple of chords, Marni jumped up on her high school stage, and in coffee shops to share her powerful voice and rhythmic strumming.  She would often collaborate with close friend, Chana Rothman.  Lessons with local guitar virtuoso, Don Ross, inspired her to learn more.

More recently, Marni has had the opportunity to study with many incredible teachers working in African/World drum and dance traditions, including Kwasi Dunyo, Amadou Kienou, Mohamed Diaby, Patrick Parsons, Pasi Gunguwo, Steve Mancuso and Elisha MacMillan.  The creative energy and polyrhythms have shaped her song writing in new and wonderful ways. 
Marni is currently studying with Fides Krucker (a highly sought-after vocal coach) and has studied with jazz vocalist, Sienna Dahlen.  Marni also uses Hatha Yoga techniques to enrich her singing voice.  For Marni, Yoga is a tool that helps her to get in touch with a deeper self, connected to the natural world.  This in turn becomes the basis for her song-writing.

Marni's songs are influenced by traditional and contemporary blues/jazz, African, World, folk, roots and RnB.  Marni is especially inspired by music that fuses several styles together.  Growing up, she regularly scoured her parents' record collection which included everything from James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and WAR to Carol King, Cat Stevens, and Van Morrison.  Her current favourites include Zap Mamma, Me'Shell N'degeocello, NOA, Dorbet Gnahore, Sara Tavares, Bobby McFerrin, Cassandra Wilson, Jayme Stone.  Local Toronto influence comes from many, including: Zaki Ibrahim, Drumhand, Ainike, Aline Moraes, Elizabeth Sheppard, Ruth Mathiang, Elaine Lil' Bit Sheppard, Brian MacMillan, Layah Jane. 
For Marni, writing and performing songs is a powerful way to share music as a spiritual conduit for healing, growth and change.
Marni currently performs and writes collaboratively with The Marni Levitt Collective.

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