Adrian Portia: the must-know Australian handpan virtuoso

Portrait of Ambre Montespan, editor of the Instruments du Monde Blog

Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 8, 2026

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Have you recently heard one of the stunning compositions by Adrian Portia, an Australian musician who specializes in the handpan? Are you wondering how this artist rose to the international stage with this instrument? What are the best tracks from this percussionist?

I first discovered Adrian Portia more than 10 years ago with his famous piece Minkara, which went viral on YouTube, and I’ve been following his work regularly on social media ever since. In this article, I’ll walk you through the key highlights of his musical career.

By reading this concise article, you’ll learn:

Key moments from Adrian Portia’s musical journey
The best-known melodies from this multi-talented artist

Along the way, you’ll get a better sense of what drives him and what he’s been up to on a music scene packed with live events. It may even inspire you to feel closer to his work by discovering other sides of his many skills.

Now, let’s dive in together and enjoy the beautiful notes performed by Adrian Portia.

What is the biography of musician Adrian Portia?

Adrian J. Portia is a professional drummer and percussionist born in Melbourne, Australia. He began playing drums at the age of 10, encouraged by his father, who played in a band. By 12, he was already skilled and experienced enough to perform with his father’s band, touring across Australia almost every week, which gave him a wealth of musical experience at a very young age.

At 19, Adrian entered Australia’s best emerging drummer competition and made it to the finals. This strong showing earned him sponsorships from Premier Drums, Sabian Cymbals, and Vater Drumsticks. From there, he quickly became a respected, in-demand musician around the country, performing onstage with many artists.

He first heard about the handpan, or Hang, in 2008, many years after its invention. The instrument immediately fascinated him, but it wasn’t until 2013 that he was finally able to get one— a model from the California-based maker Dave Island Instruments, more often abbreviated as DII. Adrian quickly established himself as one of the world’s top handpan players, performing and teaching internationally. To do so, he drew heavily on the technique and experience he had built through drumming, creating majestic pieces on the handpan.

Adrian Portia playing the Hang drum on the street

He’s also known for the speed of his playing, sometimes reaching 220 bpm, which earned Adrian Portia the nickname “Hummingbird,” a bird famous for the rapid beat of its wings. The name fits him perfectly: his touch is light, yet striking. Two years later, in 2015, he released his first album, “Life in Colour.” An EP titled “Doumia” followed in 2022. Alongside numerous tours and festivals in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy, he has also collaborated in Indian and American film with producer Santosh Mulekar and Adam Hochstatter. From time to time, he also performs with renowned Indian flutist Ronu Majumdar and bassist Janek Gwizdala. You can purchase Adrian Portia’s CD on his official website or get the digital version via his Bandcamp page.

Adrian Portia also teaches through group workshops as well as private, one-on-one lessons in person or online for around $130. He also offers a fully online masterclass on the Master the Handpan platform. You can learn more by clicking this link. Adrian is also passionate about sound healing, especially using gongs. He offers group sessions and private sessions, and he teaches this practice to anyone eager to learn.

What are the most beautiful pieces composed on the handpan by this Australian artist?

With more than 6 million views on YouTube, Adrian Portia’s biggest hit remains the piece titled “Minkara.” Other tracks, such as “Distance” and “Babylon,” also rack up hundreds of thousands of views. Listen to “Minkara” in the video below:

Treat yourself to a handpan endorsed by Adrian Portia

With his unique, versatile, percussive, and melodic style, Adrian Portia is committed to continually developing his art on this surprising instrument: the handpan. Thanks to his rich musical vocabulary, he can play virtually any style of music on this UFO-shaped sound sculpture. After reading this article, you now know a lot more about Adrian Portia’s career.

Still, if you want to recreate the compositions and songs that come from his imagination, you’ll need a truly high-quality handpan. So why not choose a range that’s been tested and approved by Adrian Portia himself? That’s exactly what the Instruments du Monde store offers, with dozens of instruments featuring extraordinary acoustics—like this beautiful, stylish 9- or 10-note model designed to deepen relaxation and calm.

Treat yourself to this handpan dedicated to relaxation by clicking on the image below:

Among the newer handpan artists, one musician has even been nominated for a Grammy Award for one of his many compositions: Manu Delago, an Austrian percussionist. Working with a wide range of international artists, he is now one of the most popular and widely recognized handpan players in the world.

Ambre Montespan

I’ve been passionate about world musical instruments for over 20 years, and I love sharing that passion for these unique, far-flung instruments with you. After traveling extensively around the globe, I’m deeply convinced of the benefits of music therapy—using music as a gentle, alternative form of healing. Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of people navigate challenges in their everyday lives.

Through these articles, I hope to pass on everything I’ve learned so these instruments are never forgotten, while also offering you an original way to grow and thrive in your own life.