About Ute Bonn, “VoiceDancer”

Spanning continents and songs, her story echoes with a spiritual sound and a sanctuary of compassion.

Listen While You Read!

Early Life in Germany

Ute Bonn, aka Voicedancer, started singing at a very young age.
Born into a musical family, she grew up surrounded mostly by classical music. Growing up in a rural German village, there was not much of a creative outlet for her except singing – which included being part of a children’s church choir. She remembers singing herself to sleep at night. Singing from the top of her lungs, barely able to follow the melodies coming through, she made up words to go along with her creations. At that time, she did not know that what she was doing was called improvising.

California and Finding Her Voice Again

In 1992 she moved to California. The singing was on the back burner, but she eventually found her voice again. Songs from all over the world caught her interest. Later she discovered her natural talent for improvisation and harmonizing and absorbed the music and rhythms surrounding her like a sponge – something that continues to define her unique sound as an independent a cappella artist. Her first original song came through in 2002. Many followed. Without planning it, she was guided to record and release her independent debut a cappella album On My Own in 2004, which features only one instrument – her voice. That was just the beginning. On her music page you can find all the songs and albums she has recorded since.

Creating Her Own Style

Ute is a songwriter, producer, and performing improvisational singer-songwriter. She created her own style of music with a uniqueness that comes through in each song. Her multi-colored voice weaves the songs together with lush harmonies, rhythmic vocal backgrounds, and world music influences, making them come alive and touch the heart of her listeners.

Recording and Collaborations

She recorded her first albums in Santa Cruz, CA with Pete Coates at the Grandview Studio. After moving to Alabama, she continued recording in the heart of the Muscle Shoals music scene: The NUTTHOUSE with Jimmy Nutt in Sheffield, AL, The Mystery Sound Studio with Alexander Bowling and Grant Walden of HearTell Studios, both in Muscle Shoals, AL. She also began collaborating with other musicians to enrich her music: Michael Glusmann (African drums), Pete Solomon (saxophones, piano), Jimmy Nutt (percussion), Harvey Thompson Jr (piano), Shiv Hattangani (tablas), Alexander Bowling (bass), Michael Bowling, Adam Schoenbachler, Angelo Sandoval (drums), Kate Hunt (violin and cello), Bryan Farris (guitars and bass), Kevin Sledge (stand up bass), Isaac Hirt-Mannheimer (African drums and cowbells), Charles Gooch (percussion), Grant Walden (additional instruments), Jason Hall (vocals), Thomas D Risher (percussion), Sean Collin (Native Flute), Brad Kuhn (piano), The Charles Brook (piano, vibraphone, percussion), Will McFarlane (guitars and bass).

Farmhouse Sanctuary

Her creative journey has always extended beyond music into a deep connection with animals and the natural world.