Learn from Great Bongo Teachers

Hi, I’m Derrick Raiter, a professional percussionist with over 30 years of experience. I help drummers and percussionists of all levels build strong technique, confidence, groove, and musical expression through personalized, engaging lessons. My teaching is shaped by a national performance career and seven years of private study with renowned drummer Anika Nilles.

Born and raised in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Dr. Rosa has been performing on percussion instruments since he was five years old. He holds a Bachelor's in Music from the University of Central Florida, a Masters Degree in Music Technology (Studio Production and Game Audio Music) from Southern Utah University, a Masters in Education from Arizona State University and a Doctoral Degree…

John makes learning the drums fun and engaging. He takes a hands on approach and he breaks down complex ideas so that his students can understand and apply them to the music they are learning. John has the ability to relate to students of all ages, both young and old. He has taught very young children, successful professionals, and older retirees.

Nasrine is a highly experienced professional percussionist with a degree in Music Performance from the Victorian College of the Arts. Her main instruments are Cajon and Congas and she specializes in Flamenco and Latin music. She is recognized as one of the top percussionists in Spain.

Andy Blanco is a percussionist in New York City with a diverse career of performing and recording with symphony orchestras, opera companies, chamber ensembles, bands, singers, composers, and on Broadway. He is currently a percussionist and assistant conductor for West Side Story on Broadway.

Akiko Horii (French-Japanese percussionist) Akiko is a New York City based percussionist. She has worked with Django Bates' Loose Tubes, blues singer Bill Sims Jr., steelpanist Andy Narell, djembe master Mamady Keita, Senegalese Sabar djembefola Mamadou Gtcho Traore, and Zalindê, an all-female percussion ensemble that has backed up rappers Kery James, Oxmo Puccino and Grand Corps…

Hello! I’m Baba Súle Greg Wilson, from Washington, DC--now living in AZ. I’ve been sharing African/Post-African and more--folklore, music, movement, story, craft—for over fifty years. A founding member of the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, I’ve authored Funky Banjo, Levels One and Two, The Súle System/Drumpath Rhythms, and the award-winning book, The Drummer’s…

I am a classically trained percussionist and a graduate of The Juilliard School, currently based in Hungary where I teach at a music school and maintain an active performing career. I’ve had the privilege of performing with orchestras and ensembles around the world, including appearances at venues like Carnegie Hall or Concertgebouw Amsterdam as well as collaborating with members…

5-time Grammy Award Winner, Vince Cherico, is the drummer for featured artists in today’s Jazz and World music venues. From 1995 - 2006 he was the drummer with Ray Barretto & The New World Spirit, later The Ray Barretto Sextet, and developed his reputation in Latin Jazz while touring the world, recording 6 CD’s with 2 Grammy nominations for the albums Contact & Time Was, Time Is.

I am a drummer, percussionist, composer, and teacher living in Boston, MA. Growing up in the culturally rich music scene of Philadelphia, from an early age I was drawn to music of all kinds. I quickly became immersed in the worlds of Afro-Cuban music, Arabic music, jazz, and underground rock.