DRUMWITHOUT BORDERS INTERNATIONAL PERCUSSION WORKSHOPS, DRUM CAMPS, EVENTS AND FESTIVALS WWW.KOSAMUSIC.COM THE MISSION KoSA Music is dedicated to developing and promoting percussive arts events that specialize in active mutual participation by profession- als and students. This goal is met by featuring the best programs taught by some of the fi nest artists and in- structors today. We purposely keep the size of the program small to fa- A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTORS cilitate personalized learn- ing in a friendly, accessible Music is the greatest gift to humanity. Through environment. We plan our music, barriers are broken down as the “lan- program carefully to incor- guage” of music transcends all cultures, all re- porate and share informa- ligions, and all spoken languages. Music can be tion essential for musicians understood by people across any cultural and from high school, college, geographical area. It is the universal language university, music educa- which binds us. More importantly, music has the tors, band directors, music power to reach into our soul and touch us emo- professionals and general drum enthusiasts. In addi- tionally. It is this powerful purity which makes tion, KoSA presents evening music such a positive infl uence, eradicating bor- concerts and performances ders and we feel it has the power to change the featuring some of today’s world for the better. most respected artists in the world of percussion. As our KoSA programs around the world have These concerts, in a festival perfectly illustrated, drummers can travel to any atmosphere, are open to the part of the world and instantly make connec- public and the community tions through their instrument and through the at large. language of rhythm and music. Whether we cre- ate programs in China, Cuba, the United States, The KoSA Percussion Work- Canada and now Italy….we all “speak” the same shops is open to everyone: language. The world is truly borderless and peo- percussionists, educators, ple are all the same. They all want a world where and musicians from every- there is no evil and as Cervantes- in Don Quixote where, of all ages and expe- accurately affi rmed: “Where there is music, there rience levels. is no evil”. Imagine what an incredible gift music is offering you: you have the power to – Drum Without Borders! Aldo Mazza Dr. Jolán Kovács Founder / Artistic Director Founder and Project Coordinator 003 ALDO MAZZA BIOGRAPHY Internationally recognized drummer and percus- Aldo Nova. Aldo regularly is heard as a drum set sionist, Aldo Mazza is perhaps best known for artist, but he is equally acclaimed as a world per- his work with the percussion group, REPERCUS- cussionist and as a concert percussion performer. SION. He is also the founder and artistic director He has collaborated with such artists as James of the KoSA International Percussion Workshops Brown, Chris De Burgh, Frank Sinatra, Shirley and Festivals with programs around the world, Bassey, Claude Bolling and Oliver Jones. from China, Cuba, Europe, US and Canada, as well as an in demand as a recording artist, clinician Aldo has composed many percussion ensemble and educator. works authored many published articles, method books and has produced an instructional DVD in As member of the percussion quartet, REPER- collaboration with Hudson Music and Drum Chan- CUSSION, Aldo has been on three world tours, nel. He regularly travels around the world perform- has recorded fi ve CDs with his ensemble, over ing and giving workshops and clinics. Under the 100 Cds with major artists and has appeared on umbrella of his company KoSA, Aldo organizes numerous television shows. He has played with educational study trips and cultural exchanges to major Canadian symphony orchestras, he has countries such as Cuba, China and Italy. His diverse performed at music festivals around the world, professional background in rock, pop, classical, and has played for Canadian Prime Ministers and world music and jazz, along with his keen interest American Presidents. in ethnomusicology has led him to create his per- sonal hybrid percussion approach in playing. As a solo artist, Aldo has appeared in numer- ous fi lm documentaries, radio, fi lm sound tracks www.aldomazza.com and television shows. Throughout his career, he www.kosamusic.com has recorded with such artists as Celine Dion, www.facebook.com/aldomazzadrums Alain Caron, Jon Bon Jovi, Nikki Yanofsky and www.facebook.com/kosamusic 005 KoSA / NYU On February 13th, the NYU Steinhardt Percussion cial guests Barry Olsen and the NYU African Gyil Freedom. Next we were treated to Katy Clinch and Studies Program (Jonathan Haas, Director) host- and Percussion Ensemble joined Ms. Naranjo for a the Juilliard Pre-College Percussion Ensemble, “WOMEN ed their first-ever collaboration withKoSA (Aldo unique, vibrant, and energetic performance, featur- performing Nigel Westlake’s masterpiece, Ompholo Mazza, Director) and Hit Like a Girl (David Levine, ing the music of West Africa. Next up was Cherisse Centric Lecture. NYU’s very own Palladium Percus- Director). This year’s event, Celebrating Women in Osei, most recently know for her work with Bryan sion quartet performed Steve Reich’s Mallet Quartet IN PERCUSSION Percussion, included a variety of clinics and mas- Ferry and Mika. Her session discussed technique, and an original work entitled At Least It’s Raining, terclasses with artists from around the world, con- practice routines, and was filled in with an incred- composed by ensemble member Luis Jácome. The cluding with a Showcase performance on Saturday ible display of talent and musicianship, as Ms. Osei Showcase Concert concluded with an unbeliev- THEME” evening. played along to a variety of tracks. The clinic por- able performance by the School of Rock All Girl tion of the day finished with a very special pre- All Star Band. This talented ensemble, made up Lindsay Artkop from Berklee College, winner of sentation by Julie Spencer and Aldo Mazza. Their of musicians from the Tri-State area, performed a ROCKED the 2015 – 2016 Hit like a Girl competition, began friendship, knowledge and experience, and musical variety of songs by artists such as Led Zeppelin and the day showcasing her impeccable skills on drum skills shined together on stage as they discussed Steely Dan. The atmosphere was electric as the girls set. Following her was Grammy award winner Terri and demonstrated the art of improvisation. As a finished their set. THE BIG APPLE Lyne Carrington, who spoke about her cymbal special treat, their session concluded with a per- preferences and journey in her musical career as formance by the All-Women Batala New York City A special thanks to all of the individuals that made a drummer. Reynaliz Herrera and her group from Samba and Reggae Group. Their spirit and high- this event possible, including Jonathan Haas, Aldo Boston, MA performed an original theater and per- energy had the audience on their feet. Mazza, David Levine, event Co-Directors Rose Egan cussion piece, incorporating elements of comedy and Luz Carime Santa-Coloma, NYU Steinhardt and and drama. The final event of the day was the Showcase Con- the Frederick Loewe Theatre staff and crew, and cert, bringing together artists from around the lastly, to all of our sponsors who laid the foundation The audience was floored by the fourth session of world for a performance that included a variety of for this incredible event- Tama , Zildjian, KoSA Music, the day, which featured Valerie Naranjo, percus- styles and genres. The incredible Julie Spencer and Mapex, Ludwig, Vic Firth, Mike Balter, Sabian, NYU, sionist for Saturday Night Live, Broadway’s The Lion Aldo Mazza performed Ms. Spencer’s work for drum Hit Like a Girl, School of Rock, LP, Evans, Pro Mark, King, and NYU Steinhardt faculty member. Very spe- set, marimba, and speech, Everybody Talks about Nork Musik Gibraltar, DW Remo. 006z 007 KoSA VERMONT: 20 YEARS OF DRUM MAGIC! The KoSA International Percussion Workshop, be an amazing week but didn’t know it would broadcast. Stay tuned to hear the mind-blowing James Taylor of the Music Business Institute. A Drum Camp and Festival celebrated a two decade surpass my expectations 10 fold. The people performances of KoSA’s stellar faculty which in- memorable skype session was also included in the history of intensive learning, living and playing I had the pleasure of meeting and hang with cluded: Dennis Chambers (Santana), John jam-packed schedule with none other than KoSA with internationally celebrated drum & percussion (faculty & participants),the performances, the Blackwell (Prince), Glen Velez (Grammy Award Faculty alumni Mike Mainieri and Rich Holly who masters. Held in the serene green mountains of lectures, talks, the musical collaborations in- Frame Drum master), Bill Bachman (Marching were happy to partake in this year’s KoSA, albeit Vermont every summer, KoSA Co-Founders and Di- cluding the late night hangs were all magical Percussion guru), Massimo Cusato (South Ital- virtually. rectors, Aldo Mazza and his wife Dr. Jolán Kovács and inspirational. ian Tamburello), Mario DeCiutiis (KAT electron- did not disappoint the lucky individuals who at- ics founder), Frank Epstein (Boston Symphony Continuing the long-standing tradition, KoSA tended this uniquely inspiring event. In fact, both This year’s theme: “The time is now: Drum!” was a Orchestra), Dom Famularo (drumming’s Global awarded “Lifetime Achievement” awards this year participants and KoSA Faculty were on a clear fitting message to all about having no regrets in Ambassador), Julie Spencer (classical marimba to two very deserving KoSA Faculty members: the high from the drum magic that they experienced. the choices that you make in life, of not putting artist), Aldo Mazza (Repercussion/KoSA Artistic immensely gifted Dennis Chambers, as well as a A first time participant, 17 year-old Ethan Swit- things off until later, of pursuing your passion in Director & Founder), Allan Molnar (Music tech- visibly moved John Blackwell, a first-time KoSA zer of Massachusetts (USA), described his week life and DRUM! .