Sonja D. Branch holds degrees in music performance from Ithaca College and Arizona State University, where she continues to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts degree under the direction of noted professor Dr. Mark Sunkett. In her time at ASU she has performed with the University's Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera Theater, New Music Ensemble, Contemporary Percussion Ensemble, Pan Devils Steeldrum Band, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Latin Combo, Percussion Jazz Ensemble, African Drum Ensemble (of which she is currently Associate Director), and Mariachis ASU

and Diablos del Sol. She has held positions as a Research Assistant for the Institute for Studies in the Arts, as a Teaching Assistant and Faculty Associate in the School of Music, and as a an accompanist in the Department of Dance. In addition to her freelance work around the Phoenix area, Sonja also plays djembe, kutiro and sabar drums with Phoenix--based Kawambe Omowale African Drum and Dance Theater and is a founding member of the Benn Ñaar Ñett Trio. Besides percussion instruments, Sonja has spent time studying the 21-string kora in Senegal, West Africa and also the Zimbabwean mbira. Locally, she has most recently added mariachi music to her musical pursuits, playing the guitarron and occasionally the marimba.