YYPA (Yamaha Young Performing Artists) 2024 Drum Set winner

Drums, Beginner to Advanced; Guitar, Beginner

Kendrick Lamar

Hard to choose one, but to name a few: Vinnie Colaiuta, Justin Tyson, Allan Holdsworth

I have spent years trying to perfect my technique on the drums. Technique is important not only for facility to execute ideas, but also to avoid injuries that may happen over time with poor technique. I believe I can put drum students on the right track and take away bad habits as my teachers have taught me. Furthermore, I have spent years at Berklee trying to find a good mental space while playing music. Things like dealing with stage fright, not playing freely due to lack of confidence or being afraid of judgement. These are all things that I deal with and I believe most musicians do if not all. However, I believe I have found ways to improve that aspect and to let go of things that may take away the joy of playing music.

I started at 3 years old. My dad is an amateur musician and we had an old Roland e-kit at home. I just gravitated towards drums naturally, and I havent been able to shake it ever since! I had great teachers and I started playing gigs at 7 years old. I have just been trying to improve my playing over the years with the help of teachers, Youtube and listening to records with my favorite drummers.

Usually Yamaha drums. Cymbals can vary between Meinl, Istanbul and Zildjian.

I just personally got addicted to the feeling of figuring out something on the instrument. Anything that sounded foreign or difficult to me has always made me want to learn it and implement it in my playing while using my personal approach.

Drums are the loudest acoustic instrument in a modern ensemble. As drummers, we have a lot of control over the energy of the music and it is commonly said that we "drive the bus" in that regard. However, we have no harmonic and very limited melodic possibilities which means our role is to support those elements without overstepping.

I believe I am quite patient with children, and in the times I have taught children, I learned more or less how to make it work if they're misbehaving/not in the mood. I was a difficult kid to teach and I remember certain teachers doing certain things that helped and made it productive regardless and I plan to implement that if I would need it.

I had the chance to play with Tim Miller, Santiago Bosch and Evan Marien at the Lilypad in Cambridge ,MA in January of 2024. These musicians are idols of mine and being given the chance to play alongside that level of musicianship was truly special.

Collagically Speaking - R+R=NOW

Aside from the obvious spending time with family and close ones, I love playing sports, especially Tennis. I love being physically active and fit in general and I exercise everyday unless I absolutely can't. I also love watching sports like Basketball, Tennis, Formula 1 among others. Additionally, I'm passionate about wildlife and I love to scuba dive whenever I get the chance.

Pop, R&B, Jazz, Hip Hop, Fusion, Rock, Metal, Funk