Rehearsals are led by the ever enthusiastic Katie Mallard from Rhythm Stick Drumming. This feisty Community Percussionist has been leading drum workshops for 18 years and has a teaching style that is energetic and compassionate, allowing participants to really develop their skills plus keeping audiences engaged and ready for the next surprise!
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Katie learned theatre organ as a child and after graduating from a Psychology degree in Cambridge she fell in love with the energy of the local community Samba band Arco Iris. She quickly developed a passion for Brazilian beats and studied under esteemed percussionist Tom (Tom the Pom) Harding who then formed Samba Ninjas, Sidney. Katie went on to direct bands Arco Iris, Ely Samba Band, Fruity Clave and Slick Stick Sambastic (now Huddersfield Samba).
 
In 2013 Katie Formed Honley Samba Band with just a few drums and 6 members. Now boasting twenty to thirty drummers the band has become more than just a little community band with people travelling from miles around to learn their unique sound. So in 2020 the band re-branded as Banda Na Rua meaning “band on the street” in Portuguese, celebrating the change in style from Rio-style Samba to Funk, Drum n Bass and British-fusion, all arranged by Katie Mallard or in conjunction with British percussionists.
 
Thriving on performance Katie regularly performs at events ranging from intimate open mic nights, to parades audiences of millions lining the streets.

Katie has been commissioned to write music for many organisations for a wide variety of occasions including Holocaust Memorial Day with 6Million+, Sharing Memories group and World Bhangra Day with Huddersfield Virsa.

As well as Banda Na Rua Katie also directs Valley Beats Community Samba Band in Holmfirth and Denby Dale which is open to all adults in the community.