Shaping Your Journey- Aldo Mazza & Guests

Shaping Your Journey with Les DeMerle

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Les DeMerle talks about his journey growing up in New York City and studying drums at the young age of 10 to then going on to play with such greats as Lionel Hampton and Gene Krupa. He then went on to becoming a long-time member of the famous Harry James Orchestra and moved on to leading his own bands over the years and releasing many commercial recordings.

Shaping Your Journey with Eric Boudreault

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Eric Boudreault talks about his journey from growing up in the small town of Alma, Quebec (Canada) to forging his path to becoming the drummer for the international touring show "Cavalia" and many other Cirque du Soleil productions, as well as serving as the musical director for the very successful "Karera" show.

Shaping Your Journey with Joe McCarthy

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Joe McCarthy recounts his musical journey from being the Chief Petty Officer of the United States Naval Academy Band, graduating with a Masters in Percussion from the University of North Texas,attending numerous educational workshops such as the KoSA Music International Percussion Workshops and Festival, to becoming a Latin Grammy Award winning musician, producer, drummer, educator and successful band leader with his ensemble The New York Afro Bop Alliance.

Shaping Your Journey with Mario DeCiutiis

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Mario DeCiutiis talks about his journey from studying percussion at NYU and Queen's College to joining the ranks as Faculty at the New England Conservatory and then going on to play as principle percussionist for Radio City Music Hall since 1979. His company Alternate Mode manufactures the complete line of KAT electronics to which Mario is the co-creater and he continues to educate percussionists about the world of KAT electronic controllers through workshops and clinic tours.

Shaping Your Journey with Jamey Haddad

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Jamey Haddad shares his journey from growing up in Cleveland, Ohio and being introduced to Lebanese hand percussion instruments and then he went on to study and teach at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He continued to teach percussion at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music while having an active recording and performing career playing with such great artists as Paul Simon and Sting among others.

Shaping Your Journey with Joe Franco

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest discusses his journey from playing the clubs in New York City, to joining his first group "The Good Rats" in the 70s, He then continued his musical path by going on the road with high profile bands such as Twisted Sister and recorded and toured with reputable musicians such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and many more. Since 1995, Joe opened his Beatstreet music production studio which quickly became a very successful TV production music and audio production studio.

Shaping Your Journey with Dominick Cuccia

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Dominick Cuccia explains his journey from watching a July 4th parade in Lake Carmel, NY as a student in elementary school which greatly inspired him leading him to becoming an important member of the legendary rudimental group Hell-Cats at Westpoint. Today he is one of the leading authorities on Fife & Drum and not so traditional drumming.

Shaping Your Journey with Rich Holly

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Rich Holly talks about his journey from his beginnings as a young percussion student in University, to performing with a number of well known artists such as Dave Samuels. His journey led him to becoming the Dean at Northern Illinois University and then moving on to holding the position of Executive Director of Arts at North Carolina State University and serving as past president of the Percussive Arts Society.

Shaping Your Journey with Rick Van Horn

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest Rick Van Horn recounts his journey as a working drummer on the West Coast to becoming for many years the editor-in-chief of Modern Drummer Magazine - the world's best known drum magazine. Since leaving Modern Drummer, he went on to become the drummer for the Classic American band, Jay and the Americans.

Shaping Your Journey with Dave Black

In this episode of Shaping Your Journey, my special guest, award-winning author, composer, and arranger Dave Black ,talks about his early days of drumming, connecting with the legendary Louie Bellson, his performing career and then honing his craft to become the driving force at Alfred Music for drum and percussion publications.