About Juan Carlos Allende
I'm Cuban, but I now live in Australia at beautiful Caves Beach, where I have my own music studio.Â
NICE TO MEET YOU
I'm Juan Carlos
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.
My Story
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.
Why I Do It
Since leaving Cuba for work, I’ve lived in Aruba, in the Netherlands and (since 5 years) Australia. I’ve taught people (including those with special needs) online and in-person using my innovative "Drumming For Life" program, using percussion and other forms of music to enhance people’s enthusiasm, as well as their opportunities in life.
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