Women of Handpan Playlist (Spotify) & 16 Women Handpan Players to Know
Guest post by Amy Naylor, handpan player, songwriter, percussionist & music practitioner:
I noticed recently when searching for handpan music on Spotify, that there was a distinct lack of female names present in existing playlists.
One of the most popular handpan playlists on Spotify - which is almost 11 hours long - currently has less than 10 tracks featuring women. Many other playlists feature none at all. It's certainly not for the lack of good female artists on Spotify, so I’ve made a playlist to prove it.
One day, there'll be no need for a list like this to exist, but until then, I'm excited to spotlight some of my favorite female players here. I really hope that as this pocket of community expands and merges into the wider musical world, reaching the ears of more and more listeners, that we start off on the right foot, showcasing the talents of the genders equally.
I wish to see this growth reflected in what we are listening to and supporting at home, especially as the handpan begins to become a more widely known instrument.
WhY this Women of Handpan Playlist?
Amy Naylor, says “I remember not long after I got my first handpan, seeing for the first time a video on YouTube of a woman playing the instrument (thanks for inspiring me Mumi) and it gave me a real "oh wow, that could be me" moment. Before then, I had never seen myself reflected. Then I stumbled across Milly Hoddo on bandcamp, and hers was the first handpan album I bought. These women were my guides (without knowing it) as I navigated entering this community. That was a decade ago now, and still I don’t see many more women taking up space in the online music realm.
So here I am, creating and taking that space. This playlist is an ongoing selection of some of the handpan community's most notable players. Though I wish there need be no separate category between genders, I still see a lack of balance in playlists and lineups, so I wish to spotlight these women until that balance is found.
Whenever we support any member of our community, we support ourselves. While I’m sure we all listen to what sounds good regardless of who plays it, there are inevitably so many handpan players - or potential players - who we miss out on hearing because their circumstances don’t allow them to step into the spotlight.
That’s why it’s our job to move that spotlight around!
I cannot express how excited it makes me feel to think about who’s crazy style, who’s beautiful heartfelt song, who’s creative vision I’m yet to hear and be inspired by. This stuff doesn’t just land in our laps. We have to look for it, we have to lift other handpan players.
Right now, I wish to lift fellow female handpan artists. ”
We agree with you, Amy— thanks for speaking up! With that, we’d like to introduce you to some of the best women handpan players around!
16 Outstanding Female Handpan Artists To know
Check out these women handpan players from around the globe:
Mar Loi - Spain
Mar is an incredibly expressive and sensitive handpan player with a real control over dynamic and texture. She’s a wonderful teacher too. You can find Mar on Spotify, Master The Handpan, and all socials.
2. Mia Lev - Switzerland
Mia’s improvisations are so entrancing. She has a beautiful flow that is a joy to witness live. You can find Mia on Instagram @miamango6
3. Sarah Paz Hyde - USA
Sarah has a hauntingly beautiful voice, is a wonderful weaver of song and plays the handpan with so much soul. She is also an important member of the handpan community, co-organizing Super Bloom Women's Handpan Gathering in New York state, and making connections throughout the handpan community.
You can find Sarah here: http://sarah-paz.com
Super Bloom Women’s Handpan Gathering: https://super-bloom.life/
4. Lea Valentina - Germany
Lea is a warm hearted soul, and that comes across in her handpan music with her calming melodies. Along with playing the handpan, Lea also teaches the handpan, founding Handpan Atelier, Munich. She is also one half of duo “Mea”.
You can find Lea on Spotify, Master The Handpan, and all socials.
5. Marketa - UK
The other half of duo “Mea”, Marketa also crafts beautiful, emotive melodies and teaches at Handpan Academy Bristol, for which she is the founder.
You can find Marketa on Spotify, Master The Handpan, and all socials.
https://www.instagram.com/marketa.handpanmusic/
“Mea” can also be found online: https://meahandpan.com/
6. Mumi - Italy
Mumi is an incredible composer, delicate player, and a very talented handpan maker under the name Elaia Handpans. Her strength is in creating scale layouts that inspire dynamic compositions.
You can find Mumi on Master The Handpan, all socials, and at her website:
7. Rosie Bergonzi - UK
Rosie’s clever improvisations involve the audience and resonate pure joy. Her arrangements and handpan covers of existing songs are unmatched, and she is a super inspiring teacher.
You can find Rosie on Spotify, with her Tutorials on YouTube and at her website:
8. Samantha Archer - Germany
One half of duo “Archer & Tripp”, Sam is a beautiful handpan player, singer and woodwind player. She is incredibly expressive in her improvisations and balances catchy melodies with odd time signatures masterfully.
You can find Sam on Spotify, Master The Handpan and socials under Archer & Tripp.
9. Amalua - Germany
Amalua plays the handpan and sings with a delicate passion. She is bringing wonderful medicine music to the community, as showcased in her album “Spirits”.
You can find Amalua on Spotify, all socials, and at her website:
10. Mayiia - Germany
Mayiia’s songs are a hug for the soul. Her tracks are elegantly produced for handpan and voice, and she often collaborates with other handpan artists, creating interesting combinations.
You can find Mayiia on Spotify, all socials and at her website:
11. Lewa - Spain
Lewa’s music is incredibly touching. She is a very skilled technical player but weaves her compositions tastefully, allowing her lyrics to shine and arrangements to touch the heart.
You can find Lewa on Spotify, socials and at her website:
12.Laura Inserra - CA, USA
Laura is a real pioneer in handpan sound healing and medicine. She offers powerful training in sound alchemy, founding her own schools, and has a large catalog of music for hang and handpan.
You can find Laura Spotify, and at her website:
13. Morgane - France
Morgane is an emotive handpan player, creating melodies that often feel sweet, nostalgic and calming. Her album Out of the Womb is wonderfully pure. You can find Morgane on Spotify and instagram @Morgane_Handpan
https://www.instagram.com/morgane_handpan/
14. Kate Stone - Germany
Amongst the first generation of handpan players, Kate is best known for her viral song “Urban”. She is still performing and regularly offers workshops. Her style is reminiscent of the original handpan sound.
You can find Kate on Spotify, socials, and at her website:
http://www.themelodywithin.com/
Big Thanks, Amy, for helping us bring this Blog to life!
But our list wouldn’t be complete with out mentioning:
Amy Naylor- Bristol, UK
Amy is an incredible handpan player, teacher and songwriter who just makes learning fun. You’ll want to watch every video she makes since she exudes such positivity. Seriously, we can’t recommend her enough! Check out her online courses, albums, or catch her at the next handpan festival on her travels. She has an extensive youtube channel with all the best tips for mastering your handpan.
Amy Naylor and Rosie Bergonzi musical collaborations.
If you are an aspiring women handpan player in the USA that should be on this list, reach out to Jenny at Isthmus!