Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on Feb 9, 2026
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Have you recently listened to a melody performed by Warren Shanti, a brilliant handpan player? Want to learn more about this percussionist who skillfully blends the sound of his instrument with therapy, relaxation, and meditation? What musical projects has he been involved in?
I first discovered Warren Shanti through his YouTube channel about four years ago, and I was immediately captivated by this professional musician—his compositions have always had a calming effect on me. I then started digging into his story and his career, and in this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about him.
So, by reading this article, you will learn:
- How Warren Shanti got started playing the handpan
- His discography
- The various other projects he is involved in
This way, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this percussionist, bringing you closer to his world and the emotions he aims to share when he plays the handpan or Hang drum.
Now, let’s take a closer look at Warren Shanti’s career.
Who is Warren Shanti, the handpan player?
Warren Shanti is a musician specializing in the handpan. He was born in 1988 in Marseille, France, and currently lives in Bochum, Germany. Self-taught and guided by intuition, he discovered music without any traditional training. Before becoming a recognized musician, Warren Shanti was exploring energy work and spirituality. Along the way, he became a Vinyasa yoga teacher, one of the most popular modern styles of yoga. It’s a dynamic, athletic approach where students flow smoothly through sequences of postures—often called Vinyasa Flow. As a result, he has always been sensitive to the mind–body–spirit connection. In that same period, he spent two years in Australia and Indonesia to deepen his practices in energy work and shamanism.
It was during this time that Warren Shanti discovered the handpan. In truth, nothing suggested he would become a musician until he crossed paths with this sonic object. Meeting this flying-saucer-shaped percussion instrument was a real turning point. His YouTube channel and first album date back to 2020, so it’s likely he started playing the handpan shortly before then.
Since sharing his music and compositions with the world, Warren Shanti has made the handpan a vehicle for well-being and spiritual connection. In his own words, he explains: "For me, the handpan is a gentle invitation to a dreamlike space where time slows down, worries fade away, and only the present moment matters." As a result, his playing style echoes the relaxing, meditative music offered by colleagues such as Malte Marten and Nadayana. Warren Shanti’s goal, through his music, is to soothe and move his listeners. Here is one of his sound meditations, titled "Lucid Dream," available for free on his YouTube channel:
With no formal musical training, Warren Shanti developed his playing through listening and exploration rather than studying solfège or applying music theory. This freedom from established rules has allowed him to shape a deeply personal style that listeners truly connect with. His compositions often arise in moments of full presence, when he lets his emotions guide his hands. The result is gentle, harmonious music that invites meditation and inner healing. That’s why he often describes himself as a sound therapist, using handpan vibrations to help people unwind and relax.
What is the discography of this percussionist and Hang drum player?
Although Warren Shanti’s career is still relatively recent, a number of projects have already come to life. In early 2020, he released the self-produced album “I Am With You,” which laid the foundation for his serene musical universe. You can buy it directly from the artist’s official website, either as a physical version on a USB stick (no CD version available) or as a digital release. After that, Warren Shanti began creating a second concept album, titled "Renaissance Vibratoire." It features various compositions dedicated to harmonizing the chakras, invisible energy centers believed to be located within the human body. In 2022, a 6-track album called "I am here" and a single called "Light into the shadow" were made available for free on Spotify.
Warren Shanti then continued with more singles and collaborative projects. In 2022, he founded the AlcheMyst Handpan project with his friend and partner Vince Myst. Together, they compose and perform, each with their own handpan. Their chemistry led, in 2024, to the release of the EP Brothers, featuring five original tracks blending celestial harmonies and rhythmic depth. Tracks such as Sweet Morning and Celestial Heart from the EP take the listener on a journey that feels both dreamy and percussive. Earlier, the duo had already shared a few singles in 2023, such as Together (including a "final version") and Origins, offering a first glimpse of their collaboration. Also worth noting are the singles New Day (2023) and Forest Birds (2024), created with Hangala, another handpan player of German origin who also happens to be his partner in life. Naturally, the two artists joined forces to form the duo Wild-Ekoh in 2024. Born from a love story and a shared vision, this project offers immersive four-handed performances.
Finally, 2025 was especially prolific, with several tracks released on streaming platforms, including Soul Sanctuary, Lights in the Sky, Fading Warm Memories, and the EP Pure Hearts (the last two in collaboration with beatmaker Bobay Beats). It’s also worth noting that Warren Shanti has been part of several musical duos.
What other projects is musician and artist Warren Shanti involved in?
Alongside his musical creations, Warren Shanti is also dedicated to teaching and sharing what he knows. He offers online handpan lessons for $60 per 40 minutes. He also runs workshops, which tend to get fairly positive reviews, at around $300 for roughly two full days. He also shares his passion through the Master the Handpan platform, with a masterclass that, at the time of writing, is still being prepared and should be available in a few months. It’s expected to reveal the key elements of Warren Shanti’s playing style. Check right away to see whether it’s available by clicking on this link.
Beyond structured lessons, Warren Shanti also shares a wealth of content online. Very active on YouTube, he regularly posts hour-long videos of handpan music in nature or in the studio, often focused on relaxation, meditation, and stress reduction. You can also follow him on Instagram to keep up with his latest news and the services he offers.
Get the Warren Shanti vibe by treating yourself to an incredible handpan
Warren Shanti’s journey shows how music can be more than just entertainment: it can be a true path in life and a tool for spiritual connection. In only a few years, he’s gone from a self-taught player who discovered an instrument almost by chance to an accomplished, inspiring artist followed by a large community around the world. Now that you’ve read this article in full, you definitely know a lot more about his universe.
Still, if you want to start composing melodies on the handpan, choosing the right instrument really matters. There are many models out there, with very different levels of quality. For great value, I recommend the online store Instruments du Monde. It offers an impressive collection of handpans, and their smaller 18 in (45 cm) diameter model especially caught my attention for its versatility and excellent acoustics.
Learn more about this handpan by clicking the image below:
Did you know that Warren Shanti sometimes plays in a duo with Julia Baier, who goes by the pseudonym Changeofcolours? She is a musician who also plays the handpan and has built up an excellent reputation within this community. She is therefore one of the big names in handpan alongside other percussionists such as Hang Massive and Malte Marten.
