Faculty

Swapan Chaudhuri
World Music Performance: North Indian Music, Tabla
swapan@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B236

Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri is a phenomenon in the arena of Indian Classical Music. Musicians honor him as one of the most respected Tabla players, worthy of highest regard all over the world. Today a two time Grammy nominee, it was Swapan’s beloved parents, through their own passion for... Continue reading »

Joey De Leon
Faculty, School of Music
Jazz: Latin Percussion
jdeleon@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B322

Joey De Leon, Jr. was born sometime in the 1960’s in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City but was primarily raised in the Bronx and North Bergen, New Jersey, the oldest of 2 children. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where he was... Continue reading »

Randy Gloss
World Music Performance
World Percussion, North Indian Music
rgloss@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B241

“Randy Gloss's maneuvering of his frame drum had to be seen to be believed…" -Mina Silverstone, salamworldwide.com "Randy Gloss' work on pandeiro (Afro-Brazilian tambourine) was one of the most amazing demonstrations of concentrated virtuosity I've ever... Continue reading »

Andrew Grueschow
Co-Director, World Music Performance Specialization
agruesch@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B200 and B248

Andrew Grueschow is an LA-based percussionist with an interest in music the world over. He has traveled to Ghana, West Africa several times, studying the music of the Ewe and the Dagombas, and recording traditional drumming for Zadonu Records. In addition to the Hands On'Semble, an award... Continue reading »

Aashish Khan
Faculty, School of Music
World Music Performance: North Indian Music
akhan@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B243

Aashish Khan was initiated into North Indian Classical Music at the age of five by his grandfather, the legendary Acharya Baba Allauddin Khan Sahib, exponent of the Senia Beenkar and Senia Rababiya Gharana founded in the 16th Century by Mian Tansen, court musician to Emperor Akbar. Also he has... Continue reading »

Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole
Faculty, School of Music
Co-Director, World Music Performance Specialization
yladzekpocole@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B200

Yeko Ladzekpo-Cole has been dancing since the age of 3.  Born into a family of drummers, dancers, and composers from the country of Ghana, West Africa.  She has continued to carry on the tradition of performing and teaching the various styles of West African Music and Dance. She... Continue reading »

Houman Pourmehdi
Faculty, School of Music
World Music Performance: Persian Music, World Percussion
hpourmeh@calarts.edu
661-253-7816
B322

Houman Pourmehdi is a master percussionist, well known for his diverse abilities as a musician, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, performing and recording in numerous ensembles and at a variety of venues. He was introduced to Persian music by his father, and received his first Tonbak at the... Continue reading »

* Faculty Emeritus
Part-time Faculty
12