History
Joel Laviolette has loved African music for as long as he can remember. Upon moving to Austin in 2006 he started building marimbas in his shed and teaching out of a small rented home on Annie St. Pretty soon his entire living room was filled with the instruments. The bass marimba alone stands 6 feet high and 8 feet wide! After gigs with his band Rattletree Marimba, people would ask how they could learn. In 2008, he took a leap of faith quitting his job at Yoga Yoga, and decided to be a full time professional musician, music teacher, and instrument builder. Joel is excited to have opened the brick and mortar Rattletree School of Marimba, and marimba-building workshop in the Thornton Rd. Studio Complex. The community around this music continues to grow as word of mouth spreads. Whether you're a absolute beginner who thinks they have