I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where I began classical piano studies at the age of six. I continued my classical training at the Landaeta National Conservatory in Caracas. In 1996, under the guidance of Faride Mijares, I undertook formal studies of Afro-Cuban percussion. Two years later, I was awarded a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I was the first recipient of the Tito Puente Percussion Achievement Award in April, 1999. I have performed with internationally recognized artists Juan De Marcos Gonzalez, Eddie Palmieri, Kenwood Dennard, Eguie Castrillo, Giovanni Hidalgo, John Benitez, Jane Bunnett, Pedro “Pedrito” Martinez and Oscar Stagnaro. As a band leader, my latest project is Obbini Tumbao. Formed in 2005 in collaboration with pianist Rebecca Cline, our septet makes regular appearances at Boston’s Blue Note venue, The Regattabar.  I am currently working towards a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Florida. I’ve been teaching at Beaver since 2003, and I love it. I find that teaching music is an extremely rewarding experience. The school’s community is very supportive and wonderful to be part of. In addition to teaching and directing four of the upper school jazz band courses, I’m lucky to direct the all-girls band, Ikonoclastic, as an afternoon activity.  I also have the privilege to direct the Cuban Jazz Ensemble bi-yearly. One of the best parts of this course is that, during the first week of spring break, I get to take my students on a 8-day trip to Havana!