NICE TO MEET YOU
I'm Juan Carlos Allende
I'm Cuban, but I now live in Australia at beautiful Caves Beach, where I have my own music studio. At the age of twelve, I started studying at the Conservatorium in Havana. After completing my Master’s degree, I travelled all continents of the world performing and teaching symphonic and contemporary percussion.
Music has always been my passion, my spirituality and my continuous development journey. I absolutely love working with people from different cultures, ages and backgrounds. Helping people and being part of a community are real drivers in my work and my life.
Thank you for connecting with me here. I look forward to meeting you online or in-person soon!
MY PASSION
I Play, Compose, Produce and Teach Music
During my 30+ year musical career as an educator and performer in Afro-Cuban, symphonic, jazz and other contemporary and Latin percussion forms, I’ve worked with larger groups of performers and teachers through orchestras, in Conservatoriums, bands and festivals globally.
These include the international show Havana Tropical, the Playing for Change charity music programmes (Australia, Tanzania and Kenya), Sydney International Women’s Jazz festival, my own Wemilere Jazz/Cuban Fusion Trio, the Johnston Street Jazz Festival in Sydney, the Royal Family Awards (Netherlands), supporting the 3 times Grammy Award winning musician Jon Secada in Aruba and participating in Percussion Australia’s Common Time and Boom! Festival projects - to name a few initiatives.
Juan Carlos has worked with:
It’s time you rise into music and master the PASSION you were destined for!
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Performance & Production
Performing live percussion
Looking for a versatile, powerful, passionate percussionist for your band or project?
Recording and Production
Whether you are looking for professionally recorded percussion tracks or need assistance...
Composition
Juan Carlos’ experience with AfroCuban choirs and international orchestras...
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Teaching & Coaching
Achieve Real Improvements in Your Music
Music lessons for experienced musicians
In Person or Online
Workshops
In Person or Online
Percussion lessons for kids
In Person or Online
Coaching of people with special needs
In Person or Online
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Self-study &Â FREE Resources
COURSE
Drumming for Life in Spanish
COURSE
Drumming for Life in English
MEMBERSHIP
Integrating percussion into all styles of music
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Havana Groove Hub
“Juan Carlos is an extremely professional Cuban musician, teacher and performer and one of the most experienced and skilled Latin and Jazz musicians I have worked with.”Â
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– Daryl J Musical Director (Australia)
“It’s been fantastic working with Juan Carlos as a percussionist and composer. His solid classical, AfroCuban and contemporary musical education including knowledge of all music styles, various instruments and his global performance experience gives him a unique edge. I love his creativity in as a percussionist and vocalist in all my jazz, pop and Latin gigs.”Â
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– Marieke T, Lead Vocalist and Band Leader (Netherlands)
"Juan Carlos is all musician and percussionist. He masters technically and musically a wide range of rhythms and is super easy to work with. His musicality is extreme and he has great professional experience."
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– Alemany (United States)
“JC has helped our Conservatorium through excellent workshop and has always been very generous with his time and attention for our students. We always look forward to having him teach here.”
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– Joanne H, Nairobi (Kenya)
“Juan Carlos’ Drumming For Life project matches our vision to include people from all cultural backgrounds and ages to engage together in creative arts. Juan Carlos is extremely dedicated to his work, including coaching of people with special needs. I recommend Juan Carlos and his work to any individual or organisation.”Â
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- Karen V, Multicultural Programme Co-ordinator
“Juan’s professional, fun and engaging style of facilitating percussion workshops for people of all ages has enhanced my music school’s reputation and success.”Â
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– John S, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
“Juan Carlos has been teaching my son, who is on the Autism Spectrum, since he was eight years old. He is a wonderful teacher, very patient, dedicated with his teaching and generous with his time.”
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– Susy C, Melbourne (Australia)
“Juan Carlos helped me improve my skills in playing conga and bongo, both online as well as in his studio. I progressed very quickly as his methodology is structured and logical. Juan also invited me to jam with other musicians, which was super fun. I recommend him as a teacher and performer.”
– Michele S, Byron Bay (Australia)
Learn percussion with my pre-recorded
Percussion lessons & Courses
This includes 26 “Drumming For Life” video-classes that explain a variety of Latin and other contemporary rhythms, using a range of percussion instruments.
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