
MATTEO VENA_bio
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Prelude:
My body and soul unleashed unto this world January-26-2006.
Music was constant in my family and open to explore. At age 3 my curious head discovered the piano in our house. Soon after I found the guitar. I needed more.
By age of 4, and still exploring, I pulled junk from the garage and made my own kit.
I sat on a blue bucket with chopsticks in hand and played on the driveway.
My dad noticed this, it was then he introduced me to something magical that changed my life, a real drum kit and "The 2 & 4" groove. I began music lessons immediately.
I was tapping on anything within reach, I still do.
I discovered that drumming drives all music to stay on course and controlled the feel. Plus, it was so much more fun.
Today:
Guitar and piano are still in my life; however, my soul belongs to percussions. This early form of communication and dance continues to possess me. I continue to seek
new techniques and styles. I try to keep sharp by playing live, recording often, and practicing a lot. I balance it all while maintaining a formal musical education. All in effort to better myself in this journey.
Education:
I was on to something. With proper education and practice I started hearing results.
1- My earliest of lessons began with Piano with Lindsay Bond. She set the level of fun. Yes she did make piano fun.
2- At 10 years old, I enrolled in an entry level guitar and drum program at "Rock This Way" The teachers taught me the fundamentals along with basic music theory.
3- At 13 years old I knew I wanted to focus on drumming and I went for a higher learning. I was under Jeff Salem as his student.
4- At 14 years old I was accepted and enrolled into Berklee Music University. My first intense drumming program was completed with a 4.0 GPA, being the youngest in the program. I began earning university credits prior to starting high school. My professors were Skip Hadden, Yoron Israel and Jim Payne. I'm presently an undergrad at Berklee.
5- Presently I'm in high school at Mayfield Secondary School - (Regional Arts Program). It is the finest music high school in the country that requires students to audition to attend. I was granted a first round entry.
6- Lastly, I continue to study privately (weekly) outside of high school, with
A) drummer Jeff Salem (Pro sessions drummer)
B) Steve Mancuso (Music PHD candidate - Humber University of Music)
C) Michelle Redwood (RCM Theory Masters in Music Theory).
I feel I'm on the right track.
Ahead:
Outside of school, I often perform live in a band that I've been the active drummer since 2018. We are about to release our first EP. Occasionally I'm invited to contribute as a session drummer for other artists. My quest for percussion perfection will continue.
This bio really has no end.
Matteo





MATTEO VENA_news
“There’s a big difference between thrashing around on drums, guitar or any (instrument) as opposed to a schooled, serious approach ... where it’s not just a hobby, but what they want to do in life," Ludwig said." I always keep my eyes open for that because you never know when the next Beatles or Led Zeppelin are going to roll through.”
- William Ludwig III.
(Interview about Matteo Vena TORSTAR news Monday Dec 2nd 2019)
"Matteo Vena, definitely a young man to watch. Only early teens and hanging tough this summer in Berklee’s Rock Drums. He possesses potential of the highest order and am looking for him to BE..." - - - Skip Hadden.
Professor at Berklee College of Music (Boston)
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"Matteo Vena is definitely an up-and-coming drummer. I taught him R&B/Funk
Drums course for Berklee College of Music and he showed lots of creativity and
spark in his playing. He's a dedicated musician and I expect that the music world
will hear about him in the near future".
- Jim Payne. Legendary funk drummer
and Professor at Berklee College of Music (Boston)
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