Boka Marimba is lucky to have the following talented musicians:
MyLinda King (she/her):
MyLinda joined Boka in 1989 when the group was transitioning itself from students of Dumi Maraire into a professional band. For the last 30 years MyLinda has been teaching both adults and children how to play Zimbabwean-style marimba in her basement studio, in public and private schools and music camps. In her spare time MyLinda likes to grow her own food and play piano.
Nathan Beck (he/him):
Nathan Beck has been a percussionist since high school. He was very involved in drum and bugle corps (Argonauts and Santa Clara Vanguard) in the 1980s. After graduating from Lewis & Clark College in 1992, Nathan joined Boka Marimba. He spent 18 months traveling and learning the mbira tradition in Zimbabwe. Some of his teachers include Tute Chigamba, Garadziva Chigamba, Garikayi Tirikoti, Wiri Chigonga, Cosmas Magaya, Musekiwa Chingodza, and Forward Kwenda. Currently, he daylights as a teacher in Portland Public Schools.
Eric Berkley (he/him):
Eric Berkley has been a member of Boka Marimba since the fall of 1994. Eric has played drums and percussion in numerous bands throughout his life. He graduated college from the University of Connecticut and currently works as an IT manager.
Aisha Beck (she/her):
Karin Tauscher (she/her):
Karin Tauscher has been a member of Boka Marimba since 2005 and especially loves the challenge of singing while playing marimba. She lives in Hood River, Oregon, where she works as a social services program manager. She has also spent many years teaching marimba in the Columbia Gorge, and has been lucky enough to bring quite a few Zimbabwean musicians to her small town to teach and perform. When she’s not working or commuting to Portland to play with Boka Marimba, Karin enjoys being outdoors…hiking, camping, floating rivers, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Jonah Butman (he/him):
Marimba has been a part of Jonah’s life since he was a young man. He started learning marimba in elementary school from longtime Boka member Eric Miller. Jonah kept up playing with him through high school and afterward in a hit youth marimba band named “Supa Dupa Marimba Bros.” He found Boka and joined in 2017. When Jonah isn’t playing marimba, he is relaxing at home with his partner and two kiddos.
Max Liberman:
Having grown up surrounded by music, Max Liberman began studying marimba in 2008 with Boka’s own Nathan Beck and Eric Miller. He has played with several student groups in Portland and joined Boka Marimba in 2025. Max currently works as a web developer; outside of music, his interests include history, law, languages and flags.
The Boka Extended Family
From our friend and teacher Patience Musandirire:
“So something about Boka, the word Boka in Shona when translated to English. Boka resemble a mutual group. Boka resemble sharing of beliefs and values. Boka resemble a mix of reciprocal identities. Boka resemble a team and placement that serves a role. Boka resemble love and care for the person next to you. Boka means ‘I got your back,’ Boka means we are together!!”
Since its inception as a group back in 1987, Boka has been incredibly thankful to have over 50 different sets of hands touch our mallets and influence the music we make. We acknowledge and celebrate all those who contributed to making this band what it is today.
Boka Marimba’s past members:
Karen Andersen
Maura Bank
Sarah Brown
Mark Burdon
Rachel Burdon
Eric Cain
Julia Chigamba
Owen Conway
Sue Davis
Elgin Dean
Karen Deora
Parker Ediger
Doug Ferguson
Manavihare “Mimy” Fiaindratovo
Kite Geidritis
Marian Grebanier
Lefty Head
Mikaela Hennessy
Beth Jonquil
John Kellerman
Fred King
Damon Koach
Paul Lee
Jenny Levinson
Daniel Lockley
Melanie Lyon
Tim Mansolino
Sally Mays
Lisa McKerlick
Eric Miller
Eric Orem
Steve Pancerev
Leo Parsons
Dan Pauli
Mary Pearson
Georgia Peterson
Thomas Petit
Steven Pettengill
Andy Pinzelik
Ann Pinzelik
Terri Redwolf
Tia Regan
Conrad Rice
Stephanie Roth
David Schaldach
Mari Shay
Dale Sherbourne
Bee Simon
Claudia Sneathen
Jan Swanson
Pete Swing
Nancy Wong
[List under construction – names may be missing]