About Modern Marimba

Our Story

Tihda Vongkoth and Melanie Lavender of People Trippin, performing at the Palladium Theatre, St. Petersburg, Florida, at the multi-disciplinary experience Viscera Dimension (2023). Photography by Chris Green.

Modern Marimba, founded by Tihda Vongkoth, presents inclusive, forward-thinking performances that reimagine the role of the marimba in contemporary life. Through innovative programming and community-rooted collaborations, Modern Marimba uplifts underrepresented voices and expands access to the arts.

More than ever, we need moments that remind us of our shared humanity. What began as a house concert for friends and neighbors, hosted by founder Tihda Vongkoth, has grown into Modern Marimba Concert Series, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization (EIN: 84-2738377) that has presented more than 25 live marimba and percussion performances since 2019. Rooted in Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A. —Florida’s Cultural Coast—our work is distinguished by rich cultural diversity and collaborations that reflect a wide range of traditions, identities, and lived experiences. Each concert brings together professional musicians, composers, and creative partners whose skills and perspectives are as diverse and dynamic as the communities we serve.

Now, you may be wondering: what’s a marimba?

They say whatever we have doubles when we share it—and with your support, performances come to life that rise above the everyday. Modern Marimba can only thrive with the support of partners who share our commitment to exceptional artistry and transformative musical experiences. By partnering with us, wherever you are, you will share in bringing music that inspires connection, reflection, and joy for audiences and students alike. Without art, something essential is missing.

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Since 2019, Modern Marimba has fostered collaborations with the following organizations and partners:

  • Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota
  • Community Foundation of Sarasota
  • Contemporary Art Music Project podcast
  • Fabulous Arts Foundation
  • Innovation Academy SRQ
  • Jalen Baker Quartet
  • Kaabo Clay Collective
  • Key Chorale
  • Lakewood Ranch
  • Mission Artist podcast
  • Mr. Stevey Meditates
  • Music Performance Trust Fund
  • Musica Sacra of Sarasota
  • Musicians of American Federation of Musicians, Local 389, Central Florida Musicians Association
  • Musicians of American Federation of Musicians, Local 427-721, Florida Gulf Coast Musicians
  • Newtown Nation
  • People Trippin
  • Pinellas County Schools
  • Prism Percussion
  • Project Pride SRQ
  • Remake Learning Days
  • Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition
  • Sarasota Concert Association
  • Sarasota Institute for Lifelong Learning
  • Sarasota Music Conservatory
  • SPAACES
  • South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble
  • Spectrum Ensemble
  • The Bay Sarasota
  • The Honourable Elizabeth A. Baker
  • The Patterson Foundation
  • Tuesday Again
  • WEDU PBS
  • Westcoast Black Theater Troupe
  • WSLR/Fogartyville
  • Zen & the Arts

Modern Marimba has performed over 25 live and virtual concerts in the following locations in Florida:

  • Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Ft. Lauderdale
  • Church of the Palms, Sarasota
  • First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota
  • Fogartyville Arts and Media Center, Sarasota
  • Grande Theater, Pinellas County Center for the Arts, St. Petersburg
  • Historic Avondale Neighborhood, Sarasota
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Sarasota
  • Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg
  • Saint Boniface Episcopal Church, Sarasota
  • Sarasota Music Conservatory, Sarasota
  • The Bay, Sarasota
  • The Plaza, Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch
  • Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice
  • Westcoast Black Theater, Sarasota

And commissioned new music from the following composers:

  • Sasha Berliner 
  • Patricia Brennan
  • Arnor Chu
  • Steph Davis
  • Damien Geter
  • Anthony R. Green
  • Alice Gomez
  • Yaz Lancaster
  • Jonathan Scales
  • Alex Temple
  • Pamela Z

Sustainability

Facebook Livestream promo (2021). Created by Tihda Vongkoth.

Modern Marimba is committed to collaborating with grassroots organizations and environmental justice groups dedicated to sustainability.

Modern Marimba centers collaborations with artists, educators, and organizations committed to justice, inclusion, and equity. We collaborate with communities that amplify marginalized voices, including BIPOC, LGBTQ2IA+, people with disabilities, people from working class and poor backgrounds, and women of all identities.

As part of our commitment to sustainability and respect for the creative workforce, Modern Marimba ensures fair wages and working conditions by hiring professional musicians under union contracts with the American Federation of Musicians Local 427-721. This partnership upholds industry standards, supports musicians’ livelihoods, and fosters an environment where creativity and dignity go hand in hand. Many of our performances are free to the public, creating a win-win for both artists and audiences. For out-of-town performers, we calculate the carbon footprint of travel and offset it through donations to Sunshine Community Compost, reflecting our dedication to environmental responsibility alongside artistic excellence.

Southwest Florida carries a complex history, once home to the Calusa, Tocobaga, Miccosukee, and Seminole Indigenous peoples, as well as a community of Angolan maroons. Modern Marimba acknowledges our responsibility to honor the land, air, and water of this region, advocating for the restoration of Indigenous stewardship and traditions to benefit the local ecosystem.

We invite you to read About Sarasota, our commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as our Equity Guidelines for Donors for further insight.