I grew up with art and music at school and at home. My father, Walter Francis Roddy, was a pianist and singer, and inspired me to make music.
I played the piano in middle school, the clarinet in high school, and studied guitar. As an adult, I played the accordion and the upright bass.
In 2001 here on O'ahu, I met percussionists and learned to play North African rhythms with the bendir, a frame drum, the doumbek and a wide variety of hand percussion instruments.
In 2006, the harp came into my life, as did the handpan, and life hasn't been the same since. I also discovered the beauty of the kalimba and the sansula, and in 2009, I discovered the Finnish kantele. Each of these instruments helps me understand the other. I am a believer in "musical crop-rotation" and "cross-pollination." Percussionists need to find melodic outlets, and melodic musicians need to take up percussion. Each is invaluable to the other.
I play the lever harp which enables play in sixteen keys, and over 54 different scales. I use three different scales of Handpans including the Halo Limoncello by Pantheon Steel, Farmington, Missouri, A Eminor Saraz by Saraz Handpans in Asheville, NC and the Second Generation Dminor Hang by PanART in Switzerland.
Kanteles include those made by Music Makers in Stillwater, Minnesota, and Gerry Henkel in Duluth. Kanteles can be tuned to any scale but traditionally are tuned to D and F. Lani Thompson has written volumes on how to play this instrument as well as provided many Finnish tunes.
Meet some of the musicians I have had the good fortune to learn from and work with.
Please visit my old Web site for information about my past work experiences, education, etc.
