Umoja McNeish

Audiences can expect an immersive high quality professional live violin performance blending cinematic, neo-classical, soul, hip-hop, R&B, and ambient meditative Influences into a modern genre-fusion experience. Performances range from elegant ambiance to captivating high-energy moments designed to create an emotional, memorable atmosphere for weddings, private events, lounges, corporate functions, and cultural events. Audiences can also expect a musical experience intended to shift perspective, elevate emotion, and awaken a deeper connection through music that heals, inspires, and transcends everyday reality.
Audiences will feel as though they just witness an indistinguishable level of performance that rivals a grammy level artist presence.

Umoja McNeish is a solo artist, violinist, producer, and composer creating music at the intersection of classical tradition and modern energy. Rooted in the violin yet unbound by genre, his sound blends orchestral intensity, cinematic textures, and the pulse of hip-hop and R&B to evoke transcendence, emotion, and transformation.

With over 16 years of international live performance experience, Umoja has captivated audiences across stages worldwide, delivering performances that move the spirit and leave lasting emotional impact. His artistry combines virtuosic violin performance with immersive storytelling, creating a sonic experience that merges refinement, raw emotion, and modern innovation.

Throughout his career, Umoja has shared stages, collaborated, or performed alongside globally recognized artists including Andra Day, Talib Kweli, Black Violin, Wyclef Jean, Rick Ross, Wale, Queen Naija, WAR, Trey Songz, Fatman Scoop, Akon, Evanescence, and D Sharp, bringing his genre-defying sound to major stages and diverse audiences across the entertainment world.

Umoja has also performed for the Miami Heat during seven games, including playoff appearances, and has performed national anthems for both the Miami Heat and the Miami Marlins. His live performance résumé includes appearances at notable events and festivals such as the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, the Beloved Community Awards, and the New Haven Festival.

Beyond the stage, Umoja is deeply rooted in the studio as a producer and composer, crafting immersive soundscapes that fuse neoclassical composition with modern sonic innovation. His music carries a cinematic quality—each piece unfolding like a story driven by emotion, movement, and intention. His body of work includes projects such as Experiential Project 3: Vortex and Experiential Project 3: Bloom, as well as the genre-bending composition Vivaldi Rock, all reflecting his commitment to pushing the boundaries of contemporary violin music and emotional storytelling.

His intention is to create from the purest places of his soul, offering music to the world as a catalyst for inspiration, empowerment, and comprehensive reflection. His sound exists in a space where beauty, light, and darkness coexist—structured yet free, refined yet deeply human.

Through his work, Umoja invites listeners into a realm of elevation, focus, enlightenment, and transformation—where music becomes more than sound, and evolves into an experience.

Techncal Requirements (ALL SUBJECT TO ADVANCE):
Instruments being used
2 Violins, 1 Lyre Harp, and 1 MPC Drum Machine

SOLO/ and Band
These are my technical requirements for a performance without my ensemble/band
A minimum of...
2 dedicated standard outlets (120V)
15–20 amp circuit
Power source within 25–50 feet of performance area

IF VENUE PROVIDES SOUND:
FOH SPEAKERS: 3 - 3-way crossed-over STEREO speaker system, capable of
producing an undistorted 100 dBA SPL at any seat in the house, 20Hz –
20,000 Hz, plus any applicable fills in order to cover all seating areas.
Cabinets must be of reputable make with all drivers in functioning order

MONITORING:
Please Provide discrete, separate monitor mixes on stage. Each
cabinet should be 2-way, crossed over with 12” minimum low driver
and 1.5” minimum compression driver, capable of 100 dBA at each
musician's position.

FOH Mixing Console: professional live audio
console.
Acceptable brands: AVID, Yamaha, Soundcraft, Midas,
DiGiCo
In Case of Analog, please ensure the following (or
equivalent) outboard
gear is in place:
• 1/3 Octave Equalizers for all zones.
• Two (2) Digital Reverb Units (Lexicon PCM 91, Yamaha
SPX 2000)
• One (1) Digital Delay Unit (PCM 42, TC 2290/D2, etc.)
• Four (4) channels compression (dbx 160A, Drawmer
DL241)
1x Digital wireless mic (Shure ULX-D or
similar)
Enough XLR, ¼ inch, and assorted cables and adaptors to patch
all inputs, outputs, and instruments on stage.

Please Provide 2 chairs and 2 stools

IF possible depending on venue and type of space.
Lighting preferences...
Ensure that all areas of the stage are covered by gelled, colored light, with no-color specials downstage to cover the musicians. please ensure at least a three color wash, and provide an operator to control lighting during performance.