Music was my first language. Rhythm is my first love. From a young age, I was dedicated to my expression through music, often looking up to classic rock groups and finding new genres that inspired me. It was almost impossible to catch me without drumsticks in hand- using chopsticks until I could actually grasp the weight of my passion. My childhood was full of basement concerts, pretending that I was the headlining artist at Wembley or Fenway Stadiums. When I got to my teenage years, I began to focus on my technique and style. I watched hours of footage of the greats- Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Mike Mangini and Danny Seraphine, to name a few- to educate myself on how to be a well-rounded musician. I was glued to my headsets, trying to figure out every beat and rest, so that I could speak through my sticks. I always include my own Latin roots into my style of performance, which I offer as a love letter to my community. This senior year has been a great ride of performances and artistic experiences. During the summer I was part of a Rock Workshop at Berklee College of Music as the drummer of the band. I study, create, perform and record originals and cover songs. During the year I have been performing as a drummer with two professional groups, Archive Her and Introduction: the Chicago Experience which perform around the New England area. Since the pandemic began, I have been practicing my instruments 4 hours a day. As a Dylexic person with ADHD, music is been my best medicine. My way to canalize my frustration. Music gives me an outlet from my problems. Also allow me to be good at something.

Music was my first language. Rhythm is my first love. From a young age, I was dedicated to my expression through music, often looking up to classic rock groups and finding new genres that inspired me. It was almost impossible to catch me without drumsticks in hand- using chopsticks until I could actually grasp the weight of my passion. My childhood was full of basement concerts, pretending that I was the headlining artist at Wembley or Fenway Stadiums. I knew I was meant to use my gift as a pathway to make the change I want to see in the world. When I got to my teenage years, I began to focus on my technique and style. I watched hours of footage of the greats- Buddy Rich, Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, Mike Mangini and Danny Seraphine, to name a few- to educate myself on how to be a well-rounded musician. I was glued to my headsets, trying to figure out every beat and rest, so that I could speak through my sticks. I always include my own Latin roots into my style of performance, which I offer as a love letter to my community. I found the uniqueness of being a Latino drummer to be my strength, and I continue to use my lived experiences in my work as an artist. During the summer I was part of a Rock Workshop at Berklee College of Music as the drummer of the band. I create, perform and record originals and cover songs. Since the pandemic began, I have been practicing my instruments 4 hours a day. My goal is to be able to learn the basic foundation to how to build speed and coordination in my hands and feet. Also, I will be able to understand complex time signatures and polyrhythms.

The song most inspires me is from my favorite band, Dream Theater and that song is Pale Blue Dot. There are many reasons why I get inspired by this song. One of the reason is the lyrics of the song. Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of the planet Earth taken in 1990. The song was inspired by this photo. The lyrics made by one of the member of the band, John Petrucci, it's a call to the people who live on the planet Earth, to protect the only place we have to live. The lyrics describe the Earth and encourage the human race to understand the environmental issues we are creating to our planet. This is a God creation, that we are destroying. We really need to pay attention and do not destroyed the planet, our only home. As a drummer, this piece is a joy to listen. The composition of a length of 8:25, full of varieties of rhythms. The music composed by all members of the band, shows polyrhythms, and time signatures changes that surprise you every moment. The ability of the musicians and their interpretation in this song is marvelous. Mike Mangini, the drummer of the band show us in this song his skills and magistry. The instrumental part of the song invite us to connect with the lyrics. Attach is a link of the song Pale Blue Dot, with myself as a drummer.

Music was my first love. From a young age, I was dedicated to my expression through music, often looking up to classic rock groups and finding new genres that inspired me. It was almost impossible to catch me without drumsticks in hand- using chopsticks until I could actually grasp the weight of my passion. My childhood was full of basement concerts, pretending that I was the headlining artist at the Palladium or Shea Stadium. I knew I was meant to use my gift as a pathway to make the change I want to see in the world. When I got to my teenage years, I began to focus on my technique and style. I watched hours of footage of the greats- Buddy Rich, Mike Mangini and David Grohl, to name a few- to educate myself on how to be a well-rounded musician. I was glued to my headsets, trying to figure out every beat and rest, so that I could speak through my sticks. I always include my own Latin roots into my style of performance, which I offer as a love letter to my community. I found the uniqueness of being a Latino drummer to be my strength, and I continue to use my lived experiences in my work as an artist. I dream of making music that resonates with generations of families, and reflects the diverse world I have grown up in. My mother always told me that “you aren't a master of your instrument until you can talk through it”, and I hope that the art I create begins conversations to bring the change we seek to live. My upcoming education at Berklee College of Music allows me to better perfect my art so that it can be as expressive and life-changing as it was for me.