Shaping Your Journey- Aldo Mazza & Guests

Shaping Your Journey with Frank Bellucci

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Frank Bellucci discusses how he became enamoured with playing music at the young age of five and actually started gigging at the age of ten! His passion led him down the path to becoming one of New York City's outstanding session drummers, an in-demand educator and clinician.

Shaping Your Journey with Mike Balter

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Mike Balter recounts his early beginnings in Chicago, studying with such drum icons as Roy Knapp and then pursuing his studies in Los Angeles with Louie Bellson. Mike then went on to work at the famous "Frank's Drum Shop" while keeping up his performance career which won him a spot in the Disney All-American College Band. He was house percussionist at Chicago's Schubert Theatre where he performed with many worldclass artists such as Frank Sinatra/musicals and more. Mike began creating his own mallets 'Mike Balter Mallets" to become the biggest mallet company in the world.

Shaping Your Journey with Mike Terrana

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Mike Terrana explains his journey growing up in Buffalo, New York and then moving to Toronto, Canada where he began his professional drumming career playing with the band Hanover Fist. He then moved to LA to work with various guitarists such as Steve Lukather and then his journey took him to the Netherlands, Germany and Italy where he continues to be an in-demand hard-rock and heavy metal drummer.

Shaping Your Journey with Gordon Gottlieb

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Gordon Gottlieb discusses his extremely versatile career from being a member of the New York Philharmonic, and performing with several other orchestras such as the London Symphony and the Chicago Symphony, to performing with such iconic superstars as Michael Jackson and Steely Dan. He taught at Yale and Julliard and was repeatedly invited to teach at the KoSA international Percussion Workshops.

Shaping Your Journey with Luis Conte

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Luis Conte recounts his journey from his beginnings in his native country of Cuba where he grew up literally immersed in music. This fueled his passion for a life dedicated to playing music and when he moved to the U.S, he quickly became a very in-demand percussionist playing with such great artists as Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, Madonna, Celine Dion, to name but a few and including being in the house band of the annual Grammy awards.

Shaping Your Journey with Michael Baker

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Michael Baker explains his varied journey growing up in a musical environment where even his church choir in Edmonton, Manitoba was made up of very talented singers who went on to be professionals. His interest in the world of percussion led him to becoming a percussion major, a symphony performer and a soloist, and a successful creator of “Sofbags” cases for percussion instruments and MB mallets - specially designed and manufactured custom-made tympani mallets. He is the founding member of Symphony Nova Scotia, as well as founding principal timpanist of the Mexico City Philharmonic.

Shaping Your Journey with Frank Corniola

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Frank Corniola discusses his journey from being born in Italy and then moving to Australia at the age of seven. He took up drumming and quickly started his professional career as a drummer in Australia. He then went on to establish Australia's well known drum magazine, "Drum Scene", opened up his own music publishing company Musictek and a very successful drum shop in Melbourne - Drumtek. He is also responsible for creating AUDW - Australia's Ultimate Drummer's Weekend Festival - hailed as the biggest drumming event in the southern hemisphere.

Shaping Your Journey with Richie Garcia

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Richie "Gajate" Garcia discusses his childhood path from Puerto Rico to obtaining a Music degree from the Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He then went on to become a sought after percussionist who accompanied such artists as Phil Collins, Sting, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Diana Ross and many more!

Shaping Your Journey with Matt Zimbel

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Matt Zimbel explains his long and winding road that led him to having an illustrious career as a musician, director, writer, artistic director, broadcast executive producer, radio and television host. What a journey and what a podcast that is not to be missed!

Shaping Your Journey with Henrique De Almedia Part 2

This is part 2 with my fascinating guest Henrique De Almedia who discusses as a drummer growing up in Brazil, then moving to the US and studying at Berklee College. He then joined the USAFA touring band and eventually became an Associate Professor at Berklee College. Upon moving to Colorado, he opened his own music academy.