Hidden Gems: Meet Iymaani Abdul-Hamid of IAH Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Iymaani Abdul-Hamid.

Hi Iymaani, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in the Bronx and started music at a young age, surrounded by a wide range of sounds and cultural influences from across the African diaspora and beyond. My mother, a trained pianist, played a huge role in shaping my love for music early on.

I was introduced to violin through a school music program in elementary school, later switched to viola in middle school, and eventually went on to earn degrees in Viola Performance (BA) and Music Education (MA) at NYU. After school, I quickly realized there wasn’t a clear path for string musicians within the music world, so a lot of my journey became about creating opportunities for myself and others.

As both a violist-violinist and arts administrator, I’ve spent years working in performance, production, education, and community programming, which eventually led me to create IAH Studio and the Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival. Today, my work centers around building more visibility, access, and community for BIPOC string musicians while continuing to grow as an artist and creative leader myself.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A lot of the journey has been figuring things out in real time and creating opportunities that didn’t already exist for me. There are also challenges that come with building something independently — limited resources, wearing multiple hats, burnout, and learning how to navigate industries that aren’t always designed to support artists long-term. At the same time, these experiences push me to become more resourceful, collaborative, and intentional about the work I create. I think one of the biggest lessons has been learning how to stay grounded in purpose, even when the path isn’t always predictable.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
IAH Studio is dedicated to amplifying BIPOC string musicians, while using string music as a tool for connection, community engagement, and healing through accessible, high-quality artistic experiences.

A lot of the work comes from wanting to break away from the idea that string music has to feel distant, formal, or disconnected from everyday people. Whether it’s through concerts, educational programs, or collaborations, the goal is to create experiences that feel real, welcoming and culturally connected.

One of our signature programs is the Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival, which is now celebrating its 10th year. What began as a grassroots community event has grown into a highly anticipated annual festival showcasing the artistry and versatility of BIPOC string musicians across genres, bringing together artists and local communities in a genuine way.

What I’m most proud of is that the work has stayed independent, community-driven, and intentional as it’s grown. People genuinely connect with what we’re building, and that’s always been the most important part to me.

I hope everyone who reads this will join us at the 10th Annual Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival, featuring local and nationally recognized string musicians performing classical, jazz, hip-hop, latin fusion, blues, folk, electronic and experimental sounds, on Saturday, August 29th at Harlem School of the Arts in NYC.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Iymaani Abdul-Hamid is a professional violist and violinist with over 15 years of experience as a performer, educator, and creative collaborator, with a background in arts administration, production, and community-based programming. She holds a bachelor’s degree in performance and a master’s degree in education from New York University.

Alongside her work as a musician, Iymaani develops and leads cultural programming and live experiences that connect artists with communities through accessible, high-quality music initiatives.

An in-demand live and studio musician, she has performed at festivals and cultural events throughout the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Mexico, and Cuba, most recently at the International Jazz Festival in Havana. Her credits include performances and recordings with internationally recognized artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Renée Neufville of Zhané, Kygo, Lalah Hathaway, and Crystal Waters.

She has also appeared on major television broadcasts including Live with Kelly and Ryan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Fox News.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iahstudio.com
• Instagram: @iahstudio | @odetotheblackfiddler
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@iahstudio

Image Credits
Photo Credit Included in Photo file name.

Cesarin Mateo – OBF x St. Ann’s Warehouse

Shakiru Bola Okoya – Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Fiddler

Michael C. Crew