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Search Results for: rhythm

DF Dance Studio A Place To Learn To Dance In Utah

North America / USA /
Dancing with DF Dance Studio
Dancing with DF Dance Studio

Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this Dance studio offers you a wild variety of dance styles with qualified instructors than make you enjoy and learn more technique, posture and movements than you think you can do it without injuries you and bring you fun. Do you know more about DF Dance Studio? Beginning…

DF Dance Studio has grown from humble to become one of the largest Ballroom, Salsa, Tango, Swing and Hip Hop dance studio in Salt Lake City. Ever since being founded in 2008, DF Dance Studio has brought cutting edge dance instruction and competitive and social dancing to Wasatch Front region. Their key to success since the beginning has been offering: a wide variety of dance styles + only employing top notch professionals in the field.

Their mission is provide comfortable social dance experience for complete beginners looking to learn a new skill and stay fit, and world class dance training for competitive students with dance career aspirations. Furthermore, their vision is connect, empower and inspire through Latin, Ballroom and Hip Hop Dance, and grow talent through cutting edge programs challenging the status quo. Df Dance Studio believe in vital physical, emotional, social, cultural and community benefits provided by dance and are dedicated to help every student regardless of previous dance experience, age or natural ability to achieve their greatest potential.

Chelsie Hightower Ballrom dancer Dancing with the Stars (Df Dance Studio Ladies Workshop)

“We believe that dance is essential to personal happiness, and we are glad to offer so many chances for people be happy”, Df Dance Studio.

For this philosophy they offer home to 13 professional dance instructors in Salsa, Ballroom, Latin, West Coast Swing, Argentine Tango, Country, Hip Hop, Ballet and Jazz for who want focused and detailed learning and get private lessons. For those who also want to learn in a group setting, they offer 24 group classes a week. In addition, for those who are dancing to meet people, they offer student mixers, studio parties, dance socials, and a great community to be in. Wow! There’s definitely something for everyone!

Private Dance Lessons

Taking a private lesson you get several benefits for your date night:

  • More intimate setting – just you, your date, and an instructor.
  • Choose exactly what you want to learn – lesson is customized to you!
  • One-on-one instruction – ask any question, the teacher is all yours.
  • Fit your personal schedule – Book morning, afternoon, or evening – Mon – Sat.

The prices are per lesson for one or two people. All lessons are 50 minutes long. Packages cannot be shared between more than two people. All appointments must be pre-paid. If you’re interested in a semi-private lesson (with 3-10 people), DF Dance Studio offers the prices follows: $100 for 3-4 people, or $150 for 5-10 people.

If you want a single private lesson and packages here below the information: SINGLE CLASS: $75 (Per Lesson for 1 or 2 people) 4 CLASS PACKAGE: $70 (Per Lesson for 1 or 2 people) 8 CLASS PACKAGE: $65 (Per Lesson for 1 or 2 people). $80 Savings + Includes 2 group class drop-ins & 2 studio parties. 16 CLASS PACKAGE: $60 (Per Lesson for 1 or 2 people) $240 savings + Includes 4 group drop-ins & 4 parties

You can Reinvent Yourself Taking the first step into exciting world of dance! Spice up your days with Salsa dancing.

Salsa Dancing Lessons

  • Salsa is one of the most popular dancing styles in Utah nowadays. There are lots of Salsa socials and clubs to dance at! Df Dance Studio offers group and private dance lessons from Utah’s top Salsa Dance professionals, plus performance-focused Salsa Dance Teams!
  • Their Salsa program consists of several different levels of group classes, private lessons and bi-weekly salsa dance socials. No partner is required. Beginner courses are 12 wks. – enroll in 1st or 2nd wk. Students are required to get instructors approval for Beginner Level 2 and Intermediate Levels.
  • Every Mon at 7pm – By the end of Ÿ 12 wks.
  • You’ll have a great Salsa foundation. No partner or experience required to join this course. $10/class for 12 wks = $120 – includes FREE extra lessons on Wednesdays at 8pm for 12 wks!
  • In Social Dance Classes complete Beginners are Welcome & No partner required. Don’t wait to start dancing.

Salsa`s Instructors

Lindsay (Salsa, Bachata, Argentine Tango):

Lindsay started out dancing Jazz at an early age, but ultimately found her passion in Latin dances. She placed 3rd in 2010 and 1st in 2011 in a statewide Salsa Competition in Utah and 3rd in 2010 in a statewide Bachata Competition. She specializes in Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba and she is available for private lessons.

Tango with DF Dance Studio
Tango with DF Dance Studio

Julio (Salsa, Bachata, Kids):

Julio specializes in Salsa, Bachata and Social Ballroom. He currently competes at the highest level in Salsa and Bachata and he is the 2016 king of Bachata in Utah. In 2015 he took first place in the SDSBK (San Diego Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba) international Salsa competition. Julio also has some Ballroom background completing the Bronze Latin Ballroom medals exam and competing in Dance Sport BYU.

Bachata with DF Dance Studio
Bachata with DF Dance Studio

Frida (Salsa, Bachata, Hip Hop):

Frida has won 3rd place in the 2015 Las Vegas Salsa On2 Amateur couples division Competition, 1st place in the 2016 Utah Bachata competition, 1st place in the 2015 San Diego Salsa On2 couples division Competition, and she is Utah Bachata Queen 2016. She’s had extensive training in several multi-cultural styles of dance, including Tahitian, samba, and Argentine tango, and she is also certified in Zumba.

Social Dance with DF Dance Studio
Social Dance with DF Dance Studio

Salsa Socials

DF Dance Studio every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month give you a great social with great music variety. Meet all the local salseros, dance to best local DJs, watch salsa dance shows, have real salsa dancing and gets fun dancing! 9:30pm – Beginner Salsa (2nd Fri) or Bachata (4th Fri) Class Dancing till 1:30am with DJ Corwin in the Salsa room + DJ Nexar in the Bachata room! Cost: $10/pp all night long THREE dance floors.

Salsa Socials - DF Dance Studio
Salsa Socials – DF Dance Studio

Add some fun…with dance! Do you want to enjoy your life? Perhaps meet some people? Try the intriguing Salsa, sensual Bachata, and more…

DF Dance Studio also offers Kids Dance Lessons; there is a variety of dance styles for kids, including ballroom, salsa, hip hop, performance & break dancing. They have three ways to get FUN with their kids program:

Teaching DF Dance Studio
Teaching DF Dance Studio

First, CLASSES!

There is a fun and easy-tolearn atmosphere. They love to play dance games with the kids while exploring the movements their bodies can do! Expect the child to start dancing everywhere – at school, at the grocery store, at home – dancing is addictive and healthy for their growing bodies & minds. They offer a variety of styles so kids can experience different moves and rhythms: Hip Hop, Break Dancing, Salsa, Ballroom, & Technique.

Second, PARTIES!

They have monthly event parties for KIDS ONLY. Okay, so we may need an adult or two as chaperones but the event itself is for their youth.

Third, PERFORMANCES!

What kid doesn’t like showing off for their parents? It’s a great time for families and friends to come enjoy supporting the little ones as they show off all they have learned that semester. Each class will have at least one routine in the show.

Wedding Dance Lessons

This Dance Studio is specialized in making you look and feel good on the dance floor on your big day creating lifelong cherished memories as you dance as a newlywed couple for that they bring you Wedding Dance Lessons. Private lessons are the way to go for wedding couples. A professional instructor working to make your first dance exactly what you want it to be!

wedding Dance Lessons with DF Dance Studio
wedding Dance Lessons with DF Dance Studio
  1. You must start your wedding dance lessons 2-5 months before your wedding date.
  2. Your wedding is in one week. They can help you! Contact them immediately so they can get you in!
  3. They have plenty of song suggestions for different occasions and can help you pick a song that reflects your personality, style and love for each other!
  4. You can learn an easy choreography if you want it! You don’t have to memorize a routine to look fantastic on the dance floor, and they can help you learn the best lead-follow steps, besides, this dance studio guarantees your private lessons will be held at a time that’s convenient for you.

In addition to all these, DF Dance Studio does an Annual Salt Lake Salsa Fest where you get ready for exciting workshops, inspiring shows and lots of awesome salsa and bachata social dancing that will sweep you off your feet!

DF Dance Studio

Gain Confidence Perform & Compete Get Healthy Progressive Course for Beginners Anytime drop-in class Higher Level Courses – Instructor Approval Required

Address: DF Dance Studio. 2978 S State St Salt Lake City, Utah. For additional information about DF DANCE STUDIO call to (801) 466-0490 or visit their site https://www.dfdancestudio.com/

Dance With Joy Studios

North America / USA /

Dance With Joy Studios was created to be a positive force in your world by adding joyful moments to your day!

1- Dance With Joy Studios
1- Dance With Joy Studios

They are a movement art and activity center dedicated to making the world better one smile at a time!

Offering daily dance & fitness classes, group and private instruction, dance party socials, workshops and special event rentals!

Their programs are designed to support success for students of all levels, in an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere. Offering daily activities that enrich the mind, doby and spirit, we provide a wide variety of educational, cultural and physical activies for students of all ages. We offer excellent instruction in a community of passionate students and professionals who make it their goal to experience greater health and well being, present moment connection and joy, sharing the art of movement and music, fun and friendship.

With a lot a options of dancing, Dance with Joy Studio offers you…

Staying Healthy and Fit Should be Fun!

Dance with Joy provides many wonderful options for fun fitness for all ages and levels, 7 days a week. Which means you’ll be able to find the fitness call that’s just right for you!

Connect with yourself & others through Dance!

2- Dance With Joy Studios - Connect with yourself & others through Dance!
2- Dance With Joy Studios – Connect with yourself & others through Dance!

Dance With Joy Studios offers a wide range of fun partner dancing classes for all levels, 7 days a week! From West Coast Swing to East Coast Swing, Salsa, Ballroom, Argentine Tango, Rueda de Casino, Brazilian Zouk, and much more!

From Flamenco Dancing to Hip-Hop, Jazz and Tap, they have something for you!

Solo dancing classes for ALL ages and levels abound at Dance With Joy Studios! Whether you’re looking for a fun Hip-Hop, Jazz, Belly Dance, Flamenco, Brazilian Samba, Hula, Tahitian, or Tap class, Dance with Joy Studios has you covered.

Dance With Joy offers a wide spectrum of fun youth classes for students ages 1 to 18 years!

Dance with Joy Studios offers a youth program focused on the joy of movement and dance, community building, kindness, and the development of self-confidence and self-esteem in a supportive, fun environment. Our youth program is divided into three categories: Tiny Toes, Kids, and Teens.

Private Lessons

Private lessons (1 or 2 students with a teacher) are an opportunity for one-onone coaching from one of our wonderful teachers. Students often learn faster in a private lesson than in a group class with this opportunity for individual attention, learning at their own pace. Teachers make it fun and easy for beginners and advanced dancers alike. Recommended for all dancers, private lessons, when used in conjunction with group classes and practice, can speed up a student’s progress exponentially.

3- Dance With Joy Studios - Private lessons
3- Dance With Joy Studios – Private lessons

Private lessons address and improve the following important areas:

  • Skills of Leading and Following ~ Connection & Communication
  • Technique ~ Footwork, Styling, Spins/Turns, Cuban Motion, Body Isolations
  • Timing & Rhythm ~ Music Education
  • Dance Etiquette ~ Tips for Social Dancing Success!
  • Ways of Learning ~ Kinesthetic, Visual, Auditory

Eduardo Tancredi is a renowned Uruguayan pianist and composer specializing in Latin Jazz

Eduardo was a distinguished student at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Eduardo was an outstanding student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Eduardo was an outstanding student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Musical Style: His music fuses a wide variety of Afro-Latin rhythms (such as Uruguayan candombe, Brazilian samba, Cuban son, Peruvian landó, and Venezuelan joropo) with the harmonies and melodies of modern jazz.

Accolades: He has recorded several CDs with his own compositions and has received awards for his outstanding performance in the Latin jazz scene. His album “Ongoing Dreams” was chosen as the best album in its category in 2002 by “The Boston Globe.”

Teaching Experience: During his time in the United States, he was a piano and harmony professor at Berklee College of Music. Since 2003, he has resided in Barcelona and teaches at ESMUC (Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya).

Collaborations: He has collaborated with numerous musical groups as a pianist and is a significant figure in the jazz scene in Spain.

Eduardo Tancredi is a prominent figure in Latin Jazz, known for his ability to integrate diverse Latin American rhythmic influences with the harmonic sophistication of modern jazz.

 

Latin accents took some time to establish themselves in jazz music. Very few composers ventured into that genre in the early decades of the last century, to the point that their timid attempts were considered exotic and trivial.

Initially, one recalls passages from William C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues,” some Scott Joplin ragtimes, Jelly Roll Morton’s references to the “Spanish tinge,” or, shortly after, the themes performed by Duke Ellington’s orchestra.

Eduardo Tancredi
Eduardo Tancredi

It was in the 1940s that the Latin touch gained relevance. Cuban Mario Bauzá, who had played trumpet in Chick Webb’s and Cab Calloway’s orchestras, propelled the success of Machito’s band and convinced Dizzy Gillespie to hire conga player Chano Pozo.

Afro-Cuban influence became powerful in the following decades through sones, charangas, rumba, mambo, and salsa. Names like Chico O’Farrill, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Ray Barretto, and Chucho Valdés became highly regarded, and their works inspired a legion of jazz musicians.

Eduardo Tancredi es un reconocido pianista y compositor uruguayo, especializado en Jazz Latino
Eduardo Tancredi es un reconocido pianista y compositor uruguayo, especializado en Jazz Latino

Latin jazz today has a strong presence in popular music, and Uruguayan Eduardo “Edú” Tancredi is a brilliant exponent of that style. He was an outstanding student at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he won awards such as the Quincy Jones Award and the Outstanding Latin Act Award.

After his acclaimed “Ongoing Dreams” from 2002, this CD, “Venimos Tumbando,” recorded in 2007, now arrives with ten formidable compositions and his own arrangements. His background in Latin American folklore plus his jazz studies have achieved a splendid confluence that is enjoyed from beginning to end on this album.

His versatility as a composer is evident in candombes (“La mama vieja” and “Montevideo”), a baião (“Baialona”), a chorinho (“El germen”), a zamba (“Zamba del aire”), and the obvious references to Afro-Caribbean rhythms that unite their exciting cadences with jazz elements. Edú’s works are incisive, stimulating, possess an overflowing swing, and it’s easy to imagine the musicians’ pleasure during their performance.

The arrangements contrast the different orchestral sections, highlighting their diverse sound textures, suggestive harmonizations, and enhancing the dynamics and fiery percussion instruments. Three saxophones, piano, guitar, bass, and drums alternate with ten other guest musicians (vocals, sax, harmonica, two basses, two drum sets, and three percussionists), generating a sonic turbine that captivates the listener from the first note.

This doesn’t mean that all tracks propose an overwhelming rhythm. There are passages of beautiful lyricism, as in the two versions sung by Ana Finger, or the pleasant harmonica of Antonio Serrano, or the director’s piano in “Como un blues.”

The soloists perform at a high level, with special mention of Miguel Zenón’s alto sax, an improviser of fresh ideas, clean musicality, and great inspiration and fervor. The interventions of guitarist Alejandro Luzardo, trumpeter Matthew Simon, tenor saxophonist Eladio Reinón, and baritone saxophonist Xavi Figuerola are also noteworthy.

“Venimos Tumbando” confirms Tancredi’s talent as a composer and pianist and his skill as an orchestra conductor. Abilities he generously demonstrated during his acclaimed performance at the Teatro Solís last December. Thomas Werner

Edu Tancredi & Bandon 33 – Venimos Tumbando (2007)

Tracks:

  1. El Subibaja
  2. Hocus Pocus
  3. Montevideo
  4. El Germen
  5. La Mama Vieja
  6. Baialona
  7. Mapa Del Mundo
  8. Venimos Tumbando
  9. Como Un Blues
  10. Zamba Del Aire

Musicians: Edu Tancredi (Piano) Ana Finger (Vocals) Antonio Serrano (Harmonica) Mathew Simón (Trumpet) Pere Grau (Soprano sax, alto sax) Miguel Zenón (Alto sax) Eladio Reinón (Tenor sax) Juajo Arrom (Trombone) Xavi Figuerola (Baritone sax) Alejandro Luzardo (Guitar) Matías Migues, Paco Weht, Javier Gómez (Double Bass) Santiago Blanco, Salvador Toscano (Drums) Carlos Reyes “Compota”, Alejandro Luzardo, Santiago Blanco, Alexis Liden, Sandro Lustosa, Salvador Toscano (Percussion)

Edu Tancredi & Bandon 33 - Venimos Tumbando (2007)
Edu Tancredi & Bandon 33 – Venimos Tumbando (2007)

Information By:

Ostia Latin Jazz

DJ, Augusto Felibertt

Also Read: Arturo “Chico” O’Farrill. “The Architect of Afro-Cuban Jazz”

David Atanacio Percussionist, Composer and Singer Unveils a New Sound

David Atanacio, grounded in the values of honesty, integrity, loyalty, responsibility, and respect, appears to be an individual of strong moral and ethical character. He is someone who can be fully trusted, a faithful and committed friend and colleague who always tells the truth and acts with righteousness.

His sense of responsibility ensures he fulfills his commitments, while his respect makes him a considerate, open person capable of building harmonious relationships. Together, these values suggest a dependable, upright, and kind personality, making him a positive and admired presence.

Born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico, specifically in the municipalities of Bayamón and Cataño, David Atanacio has cultivated a unique musical identity rooted in a powerful fusion of Cuban rumba, flamenco rumba, and Afro-Caribbean influences.

David Atanacio Percussionist, Composer and Singer
David Atanacio Percussionist, Composer and Singer

In 1993, he began his musical journey as a bongo player for his uncle’s “Grupo Típico,” later joining a local orchestra as a conguero in 1996. In 1997, he was presented with the opportunity to become a singer, marking a turning point in his musical destiny.

Recruited to co-found “Grupo Folclórico Yuba Iré,” it was with this group that he began to perfect his mastery of rhythms like La Bomba, La Plena, El Guaguancó, El Yambú, and more. During this same period, David Atanacio discovered his talent for composing and began writing his first songs, including one titled “Lo que dice el Tambor” (What the Drum Says).

He was recommended to work with the “Orquesta Abran Paso” from Puerto Rico, with whom he accompanied luminaries such as Ismael Miranda, Adalberto Santiago, Junior “Hommy” González (RIP), Larry Harlow (RIP), among others.

He then received a call from the Puerto Rican Maestro “Paoli Mejías,” percussionist for “Carlos Santana’s” group, who invited him to be part of his first musical project, “Mi Tambor.” On this album, David’s song “Lo Que Dice el Tambor” was recorded, appearing as Track No. 7. The album was nominated for “Best Latin Jazz Album” at the Latin Grammys in 2004.

David Atanacio: Percussionist, Composer, and Singer Unveils a New Sound

David Atanacio: Percussionist, Composer, and Singer Unveils a New Sound

In 2003, the King of Rhythm, Mr. Afinque “Don Willie Rosario,” invited David to join the front line of his orchestra, where he remained until 2005. After leaving Willie Rosario’s Orchestra, David decided to move with his family to Tampa, Florida.

Even in his new home, David never lost touch with his roots. One day, he received a call to contribute background vocals to the production “Sobrevolando” by the acclaimed Puerto Rican group “Cultura Profética” (2019). This production earned them the Latin Grammy for “Best Alternative Album” in 2020 and a nomination for “Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album” at the 2020 Grammy Awards.

David Atanacio is a “Sonero de Calle” (Street Sonero), with ample talent and ability to succeed. He is a percussionist, composer, and possesses the added artistry of the “Soneo del Guaguancó” (Guaguancó vocal improvisation).

Atanacio is now releasing his musical proposal, “David Atanacio & Champán D’ Barrio,” featuring aged salsa and plenty of flavor.

David Atanacio & Champán D' Barrio
David Atanacio & Champán D’ Barrio

The album contains ten tracks, eight of which are his original compositions. The production features special guest Herman Olivera, who performs a duet with David on a meticulously crafted song titled “De la Vieja Escuela” (From the Old School). The first single from this project, “Lo que dice el Tambor,” is hitting the airwaves, now presented under his orchestrated concept, “David Atanacio & Champán D’ Barrio.”

The Puerto Rican sonero recently released his latest single, “No Me Llores Más” (Don’t Cry For Me Anymore), a masterfully interwoven piece that pays homage to the musical genres that have shaped his artistic journey. The song perfectly fuses Cuban rumba, guaguancó, Spanish flamenco rumba, and son.

More than just a song, No Me Llores Más is a deeply personal sonic exploration that honors the genres that have influenced David Atanacio since his beginnings.
More than just a song, No Me Llores Más is a deeply personal sonic exploration that honors the genres that have influenced David Atanacio since his beginnings.

More than just a song, “No Me Llores Más” is a deeply personal sonic exploration that honors the genres that have influenced David Atanacio since his beginnings. Rhythms such as trova, décimas, aguinaldo, bomba, and plena have profoundly impacted his musical development, adding unique nuances to his artistic expression and reaffirming his commitment to the cultural heritage of his homeland and the Caribbean.

“No Me Llores Más” Credits:

  • Lyrics, Music, and Lead Vocals: David Atanacio
  • Background Vocals: Herman Olivera Jr. & Adriel González
  • Musical Arrangement: Carlos García
  • Piano: Yassel Puppo
  • Bass: Kevin Pagan
  • Trombone Solo: Carloscar Cepero
  • Percussion: Diego Centeno
  • Spanish Guitar: Alex García Potia

With an exquisite arrangement by Carlos García and impeccable execution by top-tier musicians, “No Me Llores Más” marks a new chapter in David Atanacio’s career. It’s where tradition and vanguard embrace to the rhythm of the drum, the guitar, and pure emotion.

This track will be available on all digital platforms starting June 14, 2025.

The rumba lives, the son renews, and David Atanacio’s voice celebrates it!

Press Contact: David Atanacio [email protected] 813-569-9581

Reference: Luis Rojas

Also Read: Herman Olivera the sonero of the 21st century

Multi-instrumentalist Ian Dobson talks about his trips and academic background

American artist Ian Dobson, like many of his compatriots, could not resist the charms of Latin music and its huge diversity of rhythms, so today he talked with us about the way he walked to become the talented multi-instrumentalist he is today.

Enjoy Ian’s incredible story in the following lines and learn everything he has to share.

Ian with his drum
Ian Dobson posing for the camera with his steel drum and ukulele

How Ian became interested in music

With just five years old, Ian already took a genuine interest in playing the drums and did not have any other family members who also liked music, except his aunt, who was a violinist. Although he does not have a very special motivation to love this instrument, he remembers that when he was 12, someone showed him a samba rhythm on his own drums, and he liked it so much that he continued playing it himself until perfectioning it. As a teenager, he was very involved in jazz, which also led him to Latin jazz and other genres derived from it. 

On reaching majority, he had already discovered a little more of Latin music, so he began studying Spanish in order to understand it better, which of course helped him a lot for the following years. His curiosity about this colorful culture was such that he embarked on a series of trips to many Latin American countries, one of which was Venezuela, more specifically Margarita Island, in 1988. Ian wanted to practice his Spanish and see what rhythms he could find in that country, the most popular being salsa and merengue.

Genres and countries that most influenced Ian

Among the Latin American countries we can name are Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Cuba. He also had the opportunity to play on several cruise ships and visit many Caribbean islands.

Each and every one of these countries had things that caught his attention musically. In the case of Venezuela, Ian was able to study the maracas during his master’s degree in percussion in Washington. One of his teachers was Euclides Aparicio, with whom he was able to learn much more about the music of this nation. 

Ian playing the marimba
Ian Dobson playing the marimba in Mexico

The artist points out that the country that most aroused his attention was Cuba, but he assures us that he liked all of them due to the musical and cultural diversity he found on all his trips, and he hopes to return to the same destinations someday. 

Mexico was the country where he spent more time, staying there for a total of six months. 

Academic background

Ian has a very interesting academic background that has provided him with a huge amount of knowledge applicable to his career. We can mention the University of Lisbon, where he was studying Portuguese and found it fascinating because there were many people from the African colonies, resulting in this music permeating Portugal and mixing with local music. One of its most renowned composers was Fernando Lopez-Graça, whom Ian had the opportunity to meet during his stay in the European country.

He became so interested in this subject that he wrote essays on how Brazilian music influenced Portuguese music and what role Africa played in all of this. Ian had already earned his bachelor’s degree from Pomona College, so he found all these topics very interesting and took them into account when it comes to studying music.

He also studied jazz at the Oberlin Conservatory, and although he did not complete his classes there, everything he learned obviously helped him a lot later on. At the University of Washington, he earned a bachelor’s degree in percussion and learned much more about music from a purely academic point of view.

Ian with a child
Ian giving classes to a little child some years ago

Ian the multi-instrumentalist

Ian studied timpani, marimba, vibraphone, piano, drums, percussion, and many other instruments throughout his career, so he can be considered a multi-instrumentalist who has sought to specialize in as many areas of music as possible.

During our conversation, Ian showed us through video call some of the instruments he was going to play that same day, such as steel drums, an electronic marimba, a drum set, a ukulele, DJ equipment, and so on.

He assures us that he is capable of playing these instruments and others during his performances, but he loves steel drums and the ukulele, which are a fundamental part of his repertoire.

Ian the teacher

While it is true that Ian has no private students right now, he previously offered music lessons for some time, gave workshops and created online spaces for his students and followers to learn from his experience.

Today, he only offers concerts, but he always tries to make them as educational as possible. In fact, he always has a few extra pairs of drumsticks that he offers to some of his concertgoers so they can play themselves while Ian explains what to do. This makes the performance much more interactive and dynamic thanks to audience participation.

The most satisfying aspect of being a teacher was to see his students gain much more self-confidence, which led them to pursue their goals with greater intensity. No matter how bad his mood may be at any given moment, he is always happy to see others learn and enjoy what they do.

Read also: Efrain ‘‘Junito’’ Davila, Victor Manuelle and Ricardo Arjona’s producer in International Salsa Magazine

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.