Joni

Joni Thompson grew up in southern California. At a young age she studied Hawaiian music and dance, while performing in Ventura, CA with the "Happy Haole Dancers". She taught elementary school and accompanied two choirs. She attended Bakersfield College, where she studied guitar, piano, voice and African Drumming with Dr. Ron Kean.She traveled north to earn a BA of music at Humboldt State University in 2000. She studied piano, guitar, voice and percussion. She performed with Mariachi de Humboldt, Pan Techtonics (steel drum band), Humboldt State Percussion Ensemble, Cordao de Ouro (Capoeira group), Humboldt State Samba Band, Mad River Transit Singers. She also performed original music locally.Joni studied Capoeira (Brazilian martial art/dance) in Arcata, Ca with Mestre Pescoso. She also studied in Berkeley, CA with Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Ra, and Mestra Suellen. She lived in Brazil where she studied with Mestre Tinta Forte and Mestre Salvador. She also taught English, performed locally with "Hobo Soul" (Soul Fusion), and participated in a Carnaval parade.New Orleans was the next stop. She began studying with N.O.madic Tribal Belly Dance group. She also began drumming with Zabumba! (Samba & dance group), where she participated in the Krewe du Vieux Ball for Mardi Gras 2004. She performs world folk music regularly at the Neutral Ground Coffee House.She currently attends Loyola University, where she is a graduate student of music therapy. "Leaps & Bounds", Joni's solo album, was recently recorded at Loyola