Founded in 1967 from the disbanded Sunnyvale Sparks, Santa Clara Vanguard won its first of six Drum Corps International World Championships in 1973. The corps is the only unit to qualify for every DCI World Championship Finals competition since 1972. The Vanguard organization also sponsors the Open Class Vanguard Cadets, a World Class winter guard, an Open Class winter percussion ensemble and several community outreach dance programs.
Paco Sery was born in 1956 in Ivory Coast in a large family of 18 children. At the age of 6, « Emma » (his little name) used to drum on almost everything he came across to. At 9, slapped in the face by his father after letting him known about his musical ambitions...
Since 1999, So Percussion has been creating music that explores all the extremes of emotion and musical possibility. Called an "experimental powerhouse" by the Village Voice, "astonishing and entrancing" by Billboard Magazine, and "brilliant" by the New York Times, the Brooklyn based quartet's innovative work with today's most exciting composers and their own original music has quickly helped them forge a unique and diverse career.
Gerardo Salazar is Principal Timpani and Principal Percussion with the Chile Symphony Orchestra, percussion instructor with Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional Juvenil de Chile, Music Director of OSNJ Percussion Ensemble and Associate Professor of Percussion at Chile Catholic University
"I realy love my Zildjian cymbals A Custom, K's and K Customs. They have a special flavor on my sambas, bossas and frevos. They are my music.”
Atreyu's Brandon Saller has a tough time describing his drumming style, but it's not for lack of trying
Currently touring with the Pat Metheny Group, Antonio has quickly become a seasoned musician, recording and/or playing with numerous top musicians, including Danilo Perez, Avishi Cohen, John Patitucci...
Michito Sanchez will never forget the day he was called to supply percussion in sessions with Crosby, Stills & Nash and Elton John. Naturally all days cannot be as auspicious but a day like this is an indication of the caliber of musicianship Sanchez has become known for.
Original member of Californian punk group NOFX.
Antonio started studying music with his father, a percussionist too. He took his first diploma in piano, then in percussion with Stefano Morellina and Giordano Rebecchi.