South Florida Center for Percussive Arts
When I attended Florida International University (FIU) from the summer of 2013 to the end of the fall semester, I was blessed to meet one of the most amazing and influential people in my path. Mr. Brandon Cruz recently opened his own percussion studio in Miami, Florida entitled the South Florida Center for Percussive Arts (SFCPA). The studio has rooms that include xylophones, marimbas, drum sets, auxiliary instruments, and as promoted in the video a recording studio.
Mr. Cruz was the percussion coordinator for the FIU marching band in the time frame I was enrolled. He encouraged me to become a better percussionist not only for marching band but also in concert band. He opened his studio to the drum line for free in order for us to become better in our craft. In the meantime we used his studio to hold practices and clinics in order to prepare for the upcoming school year.
Along with the studio, Mr. Cruz is a married man with now two sons. His second son being born relatively around the time he opened his percussion studio. He gives lessons to young children and even to adults on the different percussion instruments. Mr. Cruz also often hosts clinics with world renowned percussionist. A prime example would be Brett Kuhn. During the summer we had a technique clinic from Kuhn. Kuhn has played in the Disney World All-American Band and "Bret has written articles for publication in Percussive Notes Magazine and is currently on the PAS Board of Directors." Other examples would include Joe McCarthy, Ramon Porrina, and Svet Stoyanov. He also encourages people to attend clinics and workshops going on in the surrounding areas if he is not hosting one. A special program Mr. Cruz does is Drum Jam Fridays in which anyone can come and jam on one of his many drum sets (although the faster you're there, the better).
Mr. Brandon Cruz is my role model because he is following his dreams even now. He has always wanted his own studio and he fought to get the grant he needed in order to purchase the space he has. He has a space in which anyone can come in learn and genuinely have a great time while doing so. He overheard me playing the drum set one day and gave me a compliment on the groove that I was playing. Mr. Cruz is an encouraging man and always has a smile on his face making it easy to feel at home in his studio. Once he found out I was a music education major he especially encouraged me to practice and even hinted that I could possibly work for him one day. If Mr. Cruz ever reads this I would like to say thank you for everything you've done for me whether physically or spiritually. Your warm spirit and high hopes and expectations for me have helped me push myself to higher places. I wish to own a studio as grand as yours if not ever grander and open it to all who are willing to learn and better themselves in the art of percussion.
Citations
http://bretkuhnmusic.com/bio.asp
© 2008 Bret Kuhn Music
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