About the Instructor

Professional Credentials:

• Plays Afro Cuban Percussion (Conga, Timbales, Bongo, and Guiro) and Brazilian Percussion (Surdo, Pandeiro, Caixa, Quica, Tamborim, and Repineque)

• In-demand session drummer/percussionist in Nashville

• Recorded many CDs, jingles, and publisher demos

• Performance and production credits with notable artists including:

  • Steve Winwood, Michael English, Percy Sledge, Tony McManus, Engelbert Humperdinck, Mel Tillis, Bonnie Bramlett, Armando Perazza (Santana), Nino Segarra, Maelo Ruiz, Mose Allison, Arturo Sandoval, Jeff Steinberg, Al Delory, Willie Crespo, Anna Maria Mendietta, Hayseed Dixie, Mark Selby, Jamie O’Hara

• Regular performer with top Salsa dance orchestras in Nashville, such as Trabuko

• Currently plays timbales in the house band Swing Latino at the Ibiza Nightclub in Nashville

• Leads two Brazilian ensembles: Music City Samba (a Carnaval drumming group) and Trio Ginga (featuring Vince Quinn and Brazilian vocalist Kenya)

Teaching Credits:

• Creator of the Learn and Master Drums instructional program

• Teaching artist with the Wolf Trap Learning Through the Arts program, working with Head Start pre-school children

• Teaching artist with the Green Room Project’s 1317 Project, focusing on Brazilian drumming for at-risk teens

• Teaches West African drumming for the YMCA’s Arts Embrace after-school program

• Ensemble class instructor at the Nashville Jazz Workshop

• Offers private lessons, school workshops, clinics, and performances

• Conducted clinics and performances at institutions such as:

  • Western Kentucky University and Murray State University’s Day of Percussion

  • Middle Tennessee State University, Goucher College Summer Arts Institute, Appalachian State University

  • Belmont University Percussion Department, The Village Cultural Arts Center, and Carpetbag Theatre

• Annual residencies at Chicago’s Gallery 87 Arts Apprenticeship Program