The Musicians
 Erin Zindle (vocals, violin, mandolin, banjo, accordion, percussion) Erin was born and grew up in Buffalo, NY where she studied classical violin and piano from a very young age. From these classical roots, she has branched off into many ethnic music styles, specializing in Celtic fiddle, and dabbling in Gypsy and Middle-Eastern violin techniques. She has also developed her percussive skills in an African drumming ensemble called Woodspeak. Since moving to Michigan in 1997 she recorded, toured and performed with acoustic world-folk band Madison Greene for five years, performed with experimental gypsy ensemble, the psalters, and was a member of the Ypsilanti-based roots/rock/reggae/ bluegrass band, Rootstand. Erin teaches violin and piano lessons for a living while writing poetry and songs for the Ragbirds. ebird@theragbirds.com |
 Randall Moore (drumset, djembe, percussion) A native of Michigan, Randall has been studying and playing hand percussion since 1998, with an emphasis on West African, Afro-Cuban, Middle Eastern and Indian rhythmic structures. A relative newcomer to the drum kit, Randall has broadened his musical palette to create the rhythmic foundation for the Ragbirds. Randall has performed, recorded, and toured in a wide range of musical settings including Woodspeak, the Psalters, Madison Greene and most recently, Rootstand. Randall also plays guitar, bass, tabla, balafon, didgeridoo, jaw harp, and a host of other percussive instruments. When not playing with the Ragbirds, he spends his time making drums, teaching, and working as a guitar tech. randall@theragbirds.com |
 Matthew Melody (guitars, vocals) Hailing from the Great Lakes state, Matt is a fulltime professional musician, whose musical style has no boundaries. Matthews musical journey started at a young age though the guidance of his parents ethnically diverse music collection. By the end of his junior year in high school he could no longer ignore his calling to music, so he picked up a guitar and started teaching himself to play. After high school Matthew went on to study jazz at Wayne State University, and most recently graduated from the acclaimed Atlanta Institute of Music. There he was able to study under some of the countries most talented musicians including Jimmy Herring, Bill Hart, Carl Culpepper, Randy Hoexter, and Nite Driscoll. When not playing with the Ragbirds, he spends his time teaching private guitar lessons at Milford music. matt@theragbirds.com |
 Tim Dziekan (conga, talking drum, djembe, percussion) Tim Dziekan is originally from Michigan and is a former student of Randall and our departed friend and phenomenal djembe/conga player Nelson Whitehorse. Tim has been studying Afro Cuban, African and other types of percussion for several years and is also a versatile multi-instrumentalist, playing, guitar, bass, and piano. When not playing with The Ragbirds, helping run the band business, and driving the van, Tim spends his days writing and reading poetry, jamming with friends, and building instruments. tim@theragbirds.com |
 Dan Hildebrandt (bass, percussion) Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Dan's music education began at the age of ten when he started playing the clarinet. Since those formative days, Dan has been studying the bass, focusing his energies on establishing the groove. Dan has traveled all around the state performing with many local Michigan bands such as The Epiphany Project, Hazy Jane, The Jacob Root Band, The Winter Sessions, Bella Kula, The Large Hungarians, and most recently the Irish band Belfast Gin. A creative writing student at Eastern Michigan University, Dan spends his free time writing. dan@theragbirds.com |