Life & Work with Juan Sanchez of San Diego

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juan Sanchez.

Hi Juan , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Latin Percussion Arts offers a growing variety of musical classes and styles. Feel free to tour our website and enjoy our music video clips. We have 27 years of serving San Diego professionally. We represent some of the finest and upcoming musicians and performers in Southern California. We invite you to enjoy our Latin style entertainment! Select the right mood for your next event, from Latin Jazz, Rumba to the full blown Hip-Hop sounds with live congas, timbales and many Latin percussion instruments!! We have already provided talent for many successful events such as stadiums, family events, corporate events, bachelor/bachelorette parties, night clubs and dance classes.
Latin Percussion Arts was founded by percussion instructor and director Juan Sanchez.
Juan was born in San Diego in a musically inclined family. His career as a performer began at the age of two in his mother’s Mexican ballet folkloric dance troupe, the “Children’s Cultural Center Ballet Xochitl”. Juan grew up in Chula Vista and always enrolled in all the music and art classes, surrounding himself with musicians and artists. At 17, while still in high school, Juan became a professional musician when he auditioned and was selected as one of the top two percussionists in the San Diego County for the Sea World’s “Sea Stars” band. During this time he was instructing several high school drumlines. He continued to work during the summer in Sea World’s entertainment department for 2 years, opening up for Sea World’s Shamu and Ski Show. Later he auditioned and was accepted to the SDSU music program. Juan continued to become drum section leader for the Marching Aztecs, while simultaneously performing and touring with a Scottish pipe band called the “Cameron Highlanders”. During the summer for 2 years he would commute to Anaheim Los Angeles California drumming with the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Core under the direction of Tom Float, former instructor and arranger for the Blue Devils. Later that year with Paul Rennick instructor and arranger from Phantom Regiment and Santa Clara Vanguard. The pioneers of international rudimental drumming and the contributers of hybrid rudiments. It was also at SDSU, under the direction of Mark Lamson, where Juan began his study Latin percussion. In 2004, he founded the longest running Afro-Cuban Drumming program in San Diego at the World Beat Cultural Center. In 2006, Sanchez travelled to Cuba where he was formally introduced to Afro-Cuban music with Pepito Fernandez, a local rumbero from the Calljon de Jamel.
Sanchez is grateful for his roles as a musician and instructor. He performs regularly in the Latin and Reggae scene in Southern California and Mexico. In addition to teaching Latin percussion, Juan has worked with various high and middle school drumlines in the South Bay. For Sanchez, music is his life and the path he has chosen to express himself. He is quoted as saying: “I’m my own worst critic.” He is easily inspired by everyone and everything and is a student of life.
*Danced Ballet Folkloric up to age 8
*Section leader for Chula Vista jr. Drumline 8th and 9th grade year
*Section leader for Chula Vista High Drumline for 11th and 12th
*2nd Place out of 24 Bands in Air Band in county in 1994
*Coached Bonita Vista High’s Drumline in 1993-1994
*Member of the Sea World Sea Star band in 1993 – 1995
*Top 15 Snare Drummers for Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Core in 1993-1994
*Marched with SDSU Marching Band in 1994-1996
*Section leader for SDSU Drumline and wrote Percussion pieces for field shows 1995-1996
*Marched with Scottish Pipe Band Cameron Highlanders in 1994-1996
*Coached Castle Park Middle’s Drumline in 1996-1997 and wrote percussion scores
*Coached Castle Park High’s Drumline in 1997-1998 and wrote the opener for their field show
*Coached at Chula Vista High Drumline 2000
*Coached percussion class at SDSCPA 2001
*Wrote and Directed the Music Score for the theatrical play “A Tempest” 2003
*Pit Musician in the Danny Valdez Production “Elena” 2003
*Pit Musician in Bill Virchis “La Pastorela” 2003
*Traveled to Cuba in 2006 and 2016
*Currently Music Director of Latin Percussion Ensemble Los Curanderos
*Currently teaching private and semi-group private drum session in San Diego and Escondido.
*Currently teaching at Logan Educational Memorial percussion department.
*Currently teaching Latin percussion at Nest CoWork space in San Diego Bankers Hill.
Studied with:
Tom Float, Paul Rennick, Henry Stoker, Matt Armstrong, Malcolm Rosenburger, Brian Cabrerra, Mark Lamson, Mike Lang, Willy Negron, Nana Asiedu, Kiko Cornejo, David “la mole” Oritz, Charlie Chavez, Pablito “el indio” Rosario, Juan Carlos Blanco, Georgie Padilla, Emilio Camacho, Pepito Fernandez (in Cuba), El Dandy Rodriguez, Tomas “Tomasito” Cruz and Jose Luis “Changuito” Quintana.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
You could phrase it in a way that’s honest, professional, and personal without sounding overly political or bitter. Here’s a polished version you can adapt to your voice:

One of the biggest struggles in my path as a musician and Latin percussion instructor has been representing a genre and culture that often does not receive the same level of support or visibility as other styles of music. Latin music education is still underrepresented in many public school systems, and there are very few platforms—such as radio stations or arts programs—that consistently promote or invest in this music and culture.

As a Latino artist and educator, it has sometimes felt like I have to work twice as hard to create opportunities, build audiences, and keep these musical traditions alive for younger generations. In recent years, the social and political climate has also made cultural outreach and community engagement more challenging, especially when trying to encourage people to participate in and value Latin music education.

Despite those challenges, I continue teaching and performing because I believe Latin music is an important cultural art form that deserves recognition, preservation, and support.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Here’s a polished paragraph version that keeps your story personal and professional:

I have been teaching Drumline and percussion since I was in junior high school, starting by teaching my friends at Chula Vista Junior High. While still in high school, I expanded into teaching Drumline programs at other local high schools, and by the age of 17, I became a professional performer working in the entertainment department at SeaWorld as part of one of the first SeaWorld Sea Stars high school ensembles. What I’m most proud of is seeing students grow in their musical abilities while also building confidence, friendships, and joy through the learning process. I believe what sets me apart as an instructor is my family-oriented approach to teaching—I create an environment where learning feels fun, supportive, and inspiring rather than stressful or intimidating.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Here’s a polished way to answer that question while keeping it personal and thoughtful:

I believe pursuing a career as an artist, musician, and educator is a risk in itself because it is not always the traditional or most secure path that people expect you to take. Throughout my life, I chose to dedicate most of my time and energy to music and education because I knew it was my passion and purpose. There were moments where success was uncertain, opportunities were limited, and balancing financial stability with creative work was challenging. However, I viewed those risks as worthwhile because music has allowed me to positively impact others, build community, and help students discover confidence and joy through learning. My perspective on risk is that growth often comes from believing in yourself enough to pursue what truly matters, even when the path is unconventional.

Pricing:

• Group percussion classes: $20 per class (1.5-hour session)
• Online percussion classes: $15 per session
• Free music and percussion instruction for K–12 students at Logan Memorial Educational Campus
• Private percussion lessons: $80 per hour

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.latinpercussionarts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latin_percussion_arts/?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Latinpercussionarts/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@roksteady619?si=exjf8qHTGHvSTh-_
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/EGBvVexyV1