"Drumming is the heartbeat of music, where rhythm becomes melody and every beat tells a story."
Hey there! So, glad you're here.
Ray Paul Santillano is a thoughtful and musical pocket drummer with exceptional feel, groove, and timing. With a demonstrated work ethic, discipline, and experience, Ray's drumming euphonically serves the lead singer, band, and music. At age twelve, Ray started playing drums in church and has been actively playing ever since. Ray enjoys playing blues, country, R&B, funk, rock, punk, pop, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), and Contemporary Christian worship music.
Ray has has a Master of Divinity (M.Div) from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (APTS), where he studied sacred music, worship and liturgy. APTS is centered in downtown Austin, Texas, the heart of a vibrant musical community, the live music capital of the world. Ray also has a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with interest in the music industry.
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Instruments:
Drums, percussion, and rhythm guitar
Collaborations:
Chapel NeXt (U.S. Army Chapel Band), Jericho, Kevin Thigpen Band, Crossroads, One by One, Hope, Frank Seamans Band, Don Bruce Band, Guitar Center All-Star Band, and others.
Music Education:
Berklee College of Music, Ceadarstone School of Music, Lackland Music Academy, Mr. Brian Kilian, Mr. Ernie Durawa, and Mr. Jerry Simms
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Influences:
AC/DC, B.B. King, D.C. Talk, Foo Fighters, Gram Parsons, Jamiroquai, Joan Jett, Led Zeppelin, Newsboys, Petra, Pretenders, Ramons, Rez Band, Rolling Stones, Runaways, Russ Taff, Santana, Simple Minds, The Beatles, U2, and countless other gospel, CCM, blues, rock, and Latin artists.
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Teaching Philosophy:
My teaching philosophy for drum set instruction is based on the belief that music education should be tailored to each student’s developmental stage, nurturing technical skills and a deep love for drumming. I adapt my approach for different age groups, using strategies that align with their cognitive, motor, and emotional growth to make the learning experience engaging and effective. At the core, my philosophy is consistent: to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong passion for music. By personalizing my methods to fit each student’s unique needs and goals, I aim to create a dynamic learning environment that empowers every drummer to reach their full potential. This commitment to holistic music education is the foundation of my teaching.
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