L.A.& SimplySkins:Daughters of the Drum

L. A. : "Follow Your Heart And You Won't Go Wrong."

L. A. is a talented, energetic and accomplished Percussionist. She is the Musical Director/Arranger of Simply Skins: “Daughters of the Drum”, the ensemble that was formed when two women approached her, captivated by her playing and were serious about learning the instrument.

L. A. is a Musical Therapist/Consultant and Teaching Artist. She directs a successful Musical Therapy Percussion Program that specializes in Developmental & Learning Disabilities for Autistic Children & Adults. She has conducted lecture demonstrations on Wall Street, Lehman College and Behavioral, Education and Rhythm Intervention at Wayside School for Girls.

A native New Yorker, L. A. knew as early as the age if 11, that the drum excited her heart -- I guess you can say early on, drumming was L. A.'s calling. She grew up playing for the family’s business, “The Austin Dancers Inc.” which is directed by her mother and sister, the Artistic Director. After 41 years, the Austin Dancers continues to share the value of the arts through dance in Las Vegas.

L. A. has studied Latin, Caribbean and African influences under the mentorship of Master Drummer Montego Joe. L. A. has been a Percussionist with various All Female Bands. She has performed with Eubie Blake & Lenny Godfrey, Winton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie, Norma Miller, David “Panama” Francis, Tony Terry, Valerie Simpson & Nick Ashford, Sweet Honey in the Rock and Nikki Giovanni.

L. A. has taught and performed internationally. Some of L. A.'s crowning moments came when she composed original percussion tracks for Melba Moore and Freddie Jackson “All My Love”, performed for Nelson Mandela at The United Nations World Summit, “The Star Show” musical in Monaco, Monte Carlo (the only female in the orchestra), Nichiren Shoshu of America in Hawaii, featured artist in Bermuda, opened for the Platters in Las Vegas. L. A. has accompanied Maya Angelou on many venues and opened for her launching of Hallmark Products Life Mosaic. L. A. also was the opening solo act for Oprah Winfrey’s Celebration - A Hymn to Her.

L. A. has been a member of SGI, a Buddhist organization since 1984. Her many performances for the organization have earned her the title, " SGI’s Queen of Rhythm." L.A. & Simply Skins “Rhythm For The Soul Concert” was a packed house with standing room only.

L. A.'s ultimate goal is to experience the world through her drums --- she is determined for Simply Skins to continue joyously on our journey, to touch hearts, and open a pathway to golden opportunities and fortune of every sort to make a difference in the world.

Sharyn Brown : "Live With Passion."

"We drum for change, we drum for justice, we drum to inspire others."
- excerpt from 'Our New Beginning' by L.A. & Simply Skins

Sharyn Brown plays the tumbador for Simply Skins: "Daughters of the Drum." She began her studies in 1997 with master drummer, L.A., after hearing the phenomenal percussionist on djembe for the first time at a Soka Gakkai International (SGI) Buddhist meeting.

What started out as a hobby soon became a challenging, but ever passionate, journey of self- discovery and renewal on drums. Sharyn has been heavily influenced by the eclectic style of her mentor, L.A., and the traditional recordings of the late Michael Babalunde Olatunji. Her rhythms celebrate the power and urgency of life, love, and legacy. Sharyn has said that each concert is a precious opportunity for heart-to-heart dialogue --- the essence of drum talk.

Sharyn joined Simply Skins in 1998. The UN State of the World Summit in 2000 and the Rites of Ancestral Return: Commemorating the Colonial African Heritage in 2003 have become her golden memories in a growing list of performances by the popular percussion ensemble.

Ife George : "Everything Always Comes Back Around."

Ife-Velma George was born in the majestically beautiful and exotic paradise island in Virgin Gorda, in the British Virgin Islands. She grew up with her loving and nurturing mother, Adeline George. Her father was Howard O'Neal, and she has four brothers and a sister. Ife-Velma George is the proud mother of two wonderful children, Lateef and Nefertiti, and has a beautiful granddaughter, Khalilah.

Ife has many diverse interests --- athletics, nutrition, entertainment and cooking--- that sustain her as an individual. She enjoys reading and is a writer/poet with a collection of inspirational poems. Ife has held a variety of jobs including teaching on the college level, legal assistant, proofreader, caterer and events planner. Ife received her Masters in Business Administration in 2006.

Athletics has always been a part of Ife's daily routine. As a long-distance runner she completed 15 marathons (26.2 miles) and one Ultra (37.2 miles). She is the proud recipient of a gold medal at the 1998 Gay Games Olympics in Amsterdam, Holland. Healthy food and nutrition are important to Ife, and she incorporates this passion as a caterer specializing in a variety of original recipes that she has created, including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian cuisine.

Ife is a member of the Soka Gakkai International, a Buddhist organization, and sings and performs with the Women's Division Sunrise chorus. Ife realizes that she touches the hearts of people more through her singing, drumming and her work as a writer.

Ife enjoys meeting and connecting people, and strongly supports any cause that benefits diverse communities in need. Since 2003, Ife has promoted monthly parties for women in NYC. She gives love, time and commitment to whatever event she is working on or supporting.

Ife was inspired by the sound of the drum and had a strong desire to play especially after seeing and hearing L. A. perform. In 2000, she started classes with L. A. and was asked to join the group in 2002. She credits her accomplishment of drumming to her strong determination along with the direction of her dedicated and extraordinarily talented instructor, L. A.

Ife has performed in many different arenas with Simply Skins, and looks forward to more national performances as well as international tours. Ife feels that her journey with the drum is not only fulfilling, challenging, inspiring, rewarding, and satisfying, but it has also elevated her life on a spiritual, peaceful, and creative level.

Take Phillip : "Never Give Up."

M. Take-Phillip is a dancer, drummer and choreographer who was born and raised in Japan. At the age of four, she began learning and performing traditional Japanese dance. In 1993, Take was introduced to African dance, and later traveled to Guinea, West Africa with renowned dance teacher Youssouf Koumbassa to study dance and drum culture. She visited Guinea again in 2001. Take relocated to the United States in 1997, where she began studying various dance styles, including Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, West African dance and drum.

She met L.A and Simply Skins through various performances at SGI-USA activities. In 2004, she was invited to perform with them. Her major debut with the group was in the “Rhythm of the Soul” concert series for SGI-USA, in N.Y. Take was totally inspired by L.A and Simply Skin’s drumming and started learning under L.A.'s instruction.

Take also teaches and choreographs African dance and movement for youth and adults. She loves to travel and meet new people. She has been thrilled traveling with Simply Skins and meeting and interacting with new people. Take believes that dance and rhythm set our soul free and bring out joy. Being a part of Simply Skins is her good fortune --- to spread peace and happiness in the world.