Staci Toma

An advocate for global musical traditions, Staci Toma is dedicated to expanding the percussion repertoire through multicultural education and performance. She has studied and performed diverse styles of percussion across the world, including West African drumming in Ghana and Guinea, marimba in Austria and Australia, and orchestral percussion in the United States. Her extensive international experience informs her teaching and performance, providing students with a rich and varied musical perspective. She has had the privilege of studying with renowned teachers such as Gordon Stout, Kevin Bobo, John Tafoya, Michael Spiro, Dr. Eric Hollenbeck, Fara Tolno, and the late Bernard Woma.

As a soloist and ensemble performer, Toma has appeared in concerts across the United States, performing with professional orchestras, concert bands, and various traditional drumming ensembles. She presented at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 2021, delivering an interactive workshop on integrating West African rhythms into American music education. Notably, her marimba playing won first place in two concerto competitions.

Toma currently serves as Assistant Adjunct Professor of Percussion at the University of Northern Iowa, where she offers courses on world music, instructs applied percussion lessons, and teaches percussion pedagogy to future music directors. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of cultural and global connections in music, preparing students to become versatile musicians and informed global citizens.

Education
Master of Music in Percussion Performance, Indiana University (minor in Ethnomusicology)
Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance, Colorado State University (minor in French)