MATTEO VENA_bio

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