YolandasDrums

YOLANDA MARTINEZ, is an Apache/Comanche/Inca Artist, Singer, Composer, and Master Drum Maker born in Southern New Mexico. She was one of 11 children and was raised in New Mexico till the age of 15 when her family moved to California, San Joaquin Valley in 1965.
She grew up with her closest neighbor being 7 mi. away. She had her younger brothers and sisters (6) for company and Earth Mothers children the Lizards, Horned Toads, Ants, Hawks, Horses, etc. that accompanied her in her playground. She grew up enjoying and listening to Earth Mothers Songs and Heart Beat.
In summer of 1975 Yolanda was drawn to Alaska where she spent 8 years on the Island of Kodiak. She was one of the first Commercial Fishing Women as back then women were not allowed on fishing boats. She fished commercially and worked as a cook and deck hand for 2 years before starting her own business as a Professional Picture Framer and Gallery Owner of Yolanda's Frame Shop. In 1983 she decided to move her and her daughter back to California where her family still lives.
In 1986 she started receiving the call from Spirit, telling her to start connecting with her bloodline, her Native American side. She started exploring and tapping into that side of her family. In 1986 she asked Great Spirit to gift her with something that was a part of who she was. Something that she could give to the world that would help people connect with Earth Mother and help them walk in Balance. Soon after the call of the Drum started coming in.
After months of struggling with this overwhelming urge and not knowing where to start, she made her first drum in 1987. This turned out to be a base drum made out of a redwood planter. She thought she had completed her task, and was ready to move on, WRONG! In her prayers/meditation soon after she thanks Spirit for the lesson on finding her way to new and greater things. "I have completed the task Great Spirit, so what is next?" This is when she hears clear as day "I SAID DRUMS"!
After a lot of frustration, prayers, tears, and a near death experience she decided to surrender and let Spirit guide her, this is when she started creating drums that wake up the soul, balance and connect you with Earth Mothers rhythms in nature, her heartbeat, and song. Yolanda feels that these drums come from Spirit through her to you.
Yolanda started the Central Valley Moon Lodges in Modesto, CA. in 1992 . She has been very active in teaching and organizing the spiritual way of the woman and the balance between herself, her family and Mother Earth. Using her Drums and her Songs Yolanda works through her music.
In 1993 she moved to Asheville, NC where she spent 6 years in the beautiful forest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful, magical land is what inspired her to create and write her music.
She was inspired to do her first recording “RESOUNDING SPIRITUALITY", Drumming & Chants in 1993 and on to record, “DREAMING WOMAN“, “PRAIRIE MOTHER, “LONELY WARRIOR”, 2000 NAMMY Nominated, “DESERT SONG”, 2003 NAMMY Nominated, “NATIVE HEARTBEAT,“ 2004 NAMMY WINNER “BEST FEMALE ARTIST,” AMERICA, 2007 NAMMY Nominated, AMOR DEVERAS, 2010 NAMMY Nominated. Yolanda also received a 2008 NATIVE-E AWARD for “BEST REMAKE” of “SUMMER TIME” for her AMERICA CD. In 2011 she won "BEST COMPILATION" & "BEST MUSIC."
Yolanda currently resides in Las Cruces, NM. Where she came back home to her beautiful home state of New Mexico with the Organ Mts. in her back yard, beautiful sunsets, and glorious nights. She is continuing her work and is conducting Drum Making Workshops, Drumming Circles, Women’s Circles and Concerts nationally and internationally.

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