Latin Percussion Arts

Latin Percussion Arts

Latin Percussion Arts offers a growing variety of musical classes, styles, and entertainment. Feel free to explore our website and enjoy our music video clips.

For 27 years, we have proudly served the San Diego community professionally. We represent some of the finest established and up-and-coming musicians and performers in Southern California.

We invite you to experience the energy and joy of our Latin-style entertainment! Choose the perfect mood for your next event—from Latin Jazz and Rumba to full-blown Hip-Hop sounds featuring live congas, timbales, and a wide variety of Latin percussion instruments.

We have provided talented musicians and performers for countless successful events, including stadium events, family celebrations, corporate events, bachelor and bachelorette parties, nightclubs, dance classes, and more.

Founded by Juan Sanchez

Latin Percussion Arts was founded by percussion instructor, performer, and director Juan Sanchez.

Juan was born in San Diego into a musically inclined family. His career as a performer began at the age of two, when he appeared in his mother’s Mexican ballet folklórico dance troupe, the Children’s Cultural Center Ballet Xochitl.

Juan grew up in Chula Vista and was always involved in music and art classes, naturally surrounding himself with musicians, dancers, and artists. At the age of 17, while still in high school, Juan became a professional musician when he auditioned for and was selected as one of the top two percussionists in San Diego County for SeaWorld’s Sea Stars band.

During this time, Juan also instructed several high school drumlines. He continued working in SeaWorld’s entertainment department for two summers, performing and opening for SeaWorld’s Shamu and Ski Show.

Juan later auditioned for and was accepted into the music program at San Diego State University (SDSU). While at SDSU, he became a drum section leader for the Marching Aztecs while performing with the Scottish pipe band The Cameron Highlanders.

For two summers, Juan traveled between San Diego, Anaheim, and Los Angeles to perform with the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, under the direction of Tom Float, former instructor and arranger for the Blue Devils. He later continued his studies and development under respected instructors and arrangers such as Paul Rennick, associated with Phantom Regiment and Santa Clara Vanguard. These educators were pioneers in international rudimental drumming and contributors to the development of hybrid rudiments.

It was also at SDSU, under the direction of Mark Lamson, that Juan began his formal study of Latin percussion.

In 2004, Juan founded what became the longest-running Afro-Cuban drumming program in San Diego at the WorldBeat Cultural Center.

In 2006, Juan traveled to Cuba, where he was formally introduced to Afro-Cuban music and culture through his studies with Pepito Fernandez, a local rumbero from the Callejón de Jamel.

A Life Dedicated to Music

Juan is grateful for the opportunity to live his life as both a musician and an instructor. He performs regularly throughout the Latin and reggae music scenes of Southern California and Mexico.

In addition to teaching Latin percussion, Juan has worked with numerous middle and high school drumlines throughout the South Bay.

For Juan, music is his life and the path he has chosen to express himself.

He often says:

“I’m my own worst critic.”

Juan is easily inspired by everyone and everything around him. He considers himself a student of life, always learning, listening, creating, and finding new ways to share the power and joy of music with others.

Juan Sanchez — Musical Experience & Accomplishments

Musical Experience & Accomplishments

  • Studied and performed Ballet Folklórico until age 8.
  • Section Leader for the Chula Vista Junior High Drumline during 8th and 9th grade.
  • Section Leader for the Chula Vista High School Drumline during 11th and 12th grade.
  • 2nd Place out of 24 bands in the San Diego County Air Band Competition in 1994.
  • Coached the Bonita Vista High School Drumline from 1993–1994.
  • Member of SeaWorld’s Sea Stars Band from 1993–1995.
  • Ranked among the Top 15 Snare Drummers for the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993–1994.
  • Marched with the SDSU Marching Band from 1994–1996.
  • Section Leader for the SDSU Drumline and composer of percussion pieces for field shows from 1995–1996.
  • Performed with the Scottish pipe band The Cameron Highlanders from 1994–1996.
  • Coached the Castle Park Middle School Drumline from 1996–1997 and wrote percussion scores for the program.
  • Coached the Castle Park High School Drumline from 1997–1998 and wrote the opener for their field show.
  • Coached the Chula Vista High School Drumline in 2000.
  • Taught percussion classes at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDSCPA) in 2001.
  • Wrote and directed the music score for the theatrical production A Tempest in 2003.
  • Performed as a pit musician in Danny Valdez’s production Elena in 2003.
  • Performed as a pit musician for Bill Virchis’s La Pastorela in 2003.
  • Traveled to Cuba in 2006 and 2016 to further study and experience Afro-Cuban music and culture.
  • Currently serves as Music Director of Latin Percussion Ensemble Los Curanderos.
  • Currently teaches private and small-group drum lessons throughout San Diego and Escondido.
  • Currently teaches percussion at Logan Memorial Educational Campus.
  • Currently teaches Latin percussion at Nest Cowork in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood.

Studied with:

Tom Float, Paul Rennick, Henry Stoker, Matt Armstrong, Malcolm Rosenburger, Brian Cabrerra, Mark Lamson, Mike Lang, Willy Negron, Nana Asiedu, Kiko Cornejo, David “la mole” Oritz, Charlie Chavez, Pablito “el indio” Rosario, Juan Carlos Blanco, Georgie Padilla, Emilio Camacho, Pepito Fernandez (in Cuba), El Dandy Rodriguez, Tomas “Tomasito” Cruz and Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana.