#383 Megumi Smith- Percussionist, Educator, Pianist and More!
This week’s guest is Megumi Smith. A native of Tokyo, Japan, Megumi began her piano studies at age three. In 2006 she moved to Southern California, where she completed a master’s degree in percussion performance at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). In addition to her degree from CSUN, she holds a Level II certificate in Orff Schulwerk. A dedicated teacher of musicians of all ages, she maintains an active schedule teaching both piano and percussion privately, as well as freelancing as a percussionist in Southern California. She has played at the Hollywood Bowl with Los Tigres del Norte, and on the LA Phil neighborhood concerts series with Gustavo Dudamel. Ms. Smith is on the faculty at Santa Monica College, California State University at Dominguez Hills, and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles at Heart of Los Angeles (YOLA @ HOLA) teaching beginning percussion classes, percussion ensemble, music fundamentals, and private lessons. She has also taught for the Longy School of Music of Bard College's MAT program (guest faculty) and at Loyola Marymount University.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Julie Angelis! She joined The US Army Band (The Pershing’s Own) in 1997 and has served as Principal Timpanist since 2003. Upon assuming that role, she performed a timpani concerto and received a standing ovation while on a trip to her native state of Massachusetts. She was interviewed on the radio and featured in a full-length magazine article as a "hometown hero" during "Spirit of America" tours to Worcester, MA in 2004 and 2008. Boehler's freelance highlights include tours of the US, Japan & Italy where she performed with Pavarotti; subbing with the Houston Symphony & Ballet Orchestras; The Washington Opera Orchestra of which she was an audition finalist; and as a member of The Maryland Symphony Orchestra where she was featured on a PBS documentary called, "Bob The Vid Tech: Music To My Ears." She received degrees from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst cum laude and Rice University in Houston, TX. She currently resides in Arlington with her husband, Joe, and their daughter, Alexis.
Happy Birthday to Daniel Sadownick! Bronx native Daniel Sadownick earned a Master's Degree in Music at New York University. He then went on to tour with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra for two years. It was here that Daniel made numerous contacts that would lead to tours and recordings with jazz greats such as: Michael Brecker, Dennis Chambers, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Nat Adderley, Pat Martino, George Coleman and many others. A versatile percussionist that does not limit himself to one genre, Daniel has spent the last few years touring and recording with such diverse artists as: Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Bette Midler, Steely Dan, Jennifer Lopez and Billy Idol. Daniel is also a member of the New York based band the Screaming Headless Torsos, who just released their new album entitled "Code Red". For the last nine years Daniel has been voted as a top percussionist in Downbeat Magazine's Critics Poll and his solo album "There Will Be A Day" won the SESAC Award as one of the top albums played on jazz radio across the nation. He is currently on tour with Guitar Legend/Singer Joe Bonamassa and will be performing at The Iridium in NYC on May 21st wit The Screaming Headless Torsos. Special guest will be Vernon Reid.
Happy Birthday to Ron Powell! Ron is a skilled percussionist, accomplished musician, clinician, author and exciting performer. He has toured the world since 1978 and has worked with over a hundred great artists, the most notable being, Madonna, Kenny G., Diana Ross, Sergio Mendes and most recently Brian Hughes.
Through his experience with Sergio, Ron learned the intricacies of Brazilian percussion. He has also played with Tania Maria, Oscar Castro-Neves, and his own band, L.A. Samba, and made special appearances with Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, Djavan and Samba School Villa Isabelle. Ron's versatility and showmanship have made him one of the most sought after percussionists in the world.
Ron is well studied in Afro-Latin percussion and has performed with Santana, El Chicano and Miami Sound Machine, Earth Wind & Fire, Black Eyed Peas, Rascal Flatts, and many others.
Ron has participated in many music related projects, which include the coordination of the African drum section of the Lion King Parade at Disneyland in California. He attributes his success in the music industry to his love for performing, sharing percussion and music.
Ron's equipment list changes with each playing situation, however he feels that LP is the only company with the variety and quality of instruments to fulfill his needs. Ron has been an LP artist for over 30 years.
Gig Alerts
Live Nation is one again celebrating Concert Week with $25 tickets on offer between May 8 – 14. Here’s a peek at all the participating artists. -Article
ABOP (Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists) has some upcoming events including: masterclasses, repertoire reading sessions and protoge recitals. Shout-out to co-founder and friend of the show, Raynor Carroll.
Damon is giving a clinic at the Los Angeles College of Music in Pasadena, CA on Thursday May 9th from 8-10pm in “The Garage”. It is FREE with an RSVP.
Educational Spotlight
Nashville’s new 82-acre rehearsal and production campus is gearing up to open in 2025, as a joint venture between the team behind Rock Lititz and leading commercial real estate developer Al. Neyer. -Article
The Percussive Arts Society is thrilled to reveal the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Terri Lyne Carrington, Neil Grover, Thom Hannum, Beverley Johnston, and Jim Petercsak. These nominees will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at PASIC 2024 in November.
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording was picked by Megumi. It is a performance by Mary Mary at the Super Bowl, featuring the YOLA with Megumi on timpani.
Music News
Everyone is talking about the congestion pricing plan that will force drivers to pay $15 every time they enter midtown Manhattan. Although an official start date has yet to be announced, an MTA lawyer recently revealed that officials are likely going to kick things off at the end of June.
So to ease your worries (or, perhaps, enhance them), here is a handy little guide trying to dissect everything you need to know about the new congestion pricing in NYC. -Article
Grammys On The Hill Advocacy Day sees a group including Mark Ronson, Sheryl Crow, Patti Austin, Lauren Daigle, and other industry leaders visiting the White House to talk about AI protections, ticketing reform, and much more. -Article
Instagram is making big changes in the way its algorithm recommends content in 2024, with a focus on original content and smaller accounts. -Article
Megumi Smith Interview
The song leading into the interview is, “Glamour” by friend of the show, Casey Cangelosi.
The interview starts with Megumi talking about how she and Aaron Smith met.
Megumi started on piano and electric organ when she was 3 years old at the Yamaha Music School.
She added percussion playing in middle school.
Megumi started learning folkloric Japanese drumming recently.
Megumi got her undergrad in Japan and her masters at Cal State Northridge.
Between her undergrad and masters she taught piano and drumset for a bunch of years.
Her degrees are in performance and Japanese literature.
After getting her masters, Megumi started teaching at four Montessori schools and then private lessons.
From teaching, Megumi got a job working with YOLA. And then continued on to also work the HOLA.
Megumi is certified in Orff instruments.
Megumi teaches at Santa Monica College and California State University at Dominguez Hills.
Megumi explains the Japanese Tea Ceremony. There are Japanese tea ceremonies in California as well, like THIS PLACE and THIS PLACE.
Megumi is also a professional kimono dresser.
Megumi talks about being married to another percussionist.
Damon and Megumi talk about culture.
Megumi picks the iconic recording for the week.
Shout-out to Dragonfly Percussion, and the Network for Diversity in Concert Percussion.
Shout-out to Lynn Vartan, Aaron T. Smith, Jerry Steinholtz, John Roscigno, and John Magnussen.
