MUSIC TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
CHRISTO PELLANI
Recognized internationally as a master drummer / percussionist and educator, Christo facilitates human potential by blending principles of rhythm and sound awareness for personal expression, growth and well -being.
With extensive experience as a classroom music / literacy teaching artist, Christo has taught music fundamentals to thousands of children through a wide variety of educational and rehabilitative agencies. He also teaches privately in person and virtually. His unique interactive drumming curricula "Rhythmagic" and "Universal Drumming" tm, emphasizes instructional exercises and games promoting shared leadership and creative expression through experiential rhythm awareness.
Christo’s diverse teaching skills include:
- Classroom and after school instruction
- Music Recreational Therapy ( including Drum Circle Facilitation)
- Special Populations.
- Recitals and Ceremonies.
- Musical theatre direction ( including script creation, props and lighting)
TEACHING ARTIST RESUME:
CHRISTO PELLANI
christodrums@soundformation.com christodrummer@yahoo.com
310-902-9523
SUMMARY
Seeking creative collaborations with progressive educational change-makers to facilitate student potential
and improve the quality of experiential learning.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING / RECORDING ARTIST 1980 - Present
Extensive international concert performance credentials with a variety of World, Pop, Rock, R&B, and
Devotional Singing music artists including Air Supply, Mary Wells, The Shirelles, Fabien Maman, Stevin
McNamara, Jeff Pevar, Larisa Stow, Wade Preston, Leo Nocentelli, Nina Hagen, Breath of Life Tribe,
Phoenix Rising, and many others.
Featured as one of ten “Unsung Drumming Heroes of Los Angeles” as chosen by BAM magazine.
Performed the very first ever rock concert in Hanoi Vietnam with Air Supply in 1997.
Endorsed Artist with Latin Percussion and Headhunters drumsticks, renowned as a master drummer and
percussionist, equally proficient as a diverse world hand drummer and on drum set. Plays over 20 melody
instruments. Remains in high demand for recording, instruction, and accompaniment for expressive
movement artists, including the esteemed Luna Negra Ballet. Regularly featured performer at a variety of
cultural music festivals, including the World Festival of Sacred Music, Bhakti Fest, Esalen Yoga
Festival, Burning Man, and Lightening in a Bottle. Regular world music performer at Disneyland and
featured with the virtual yoga / music series Liquid Asana Live.
Released 5 critically acclaimed recordings on the Soundformation label and 3 world ambient
recordings on the White Swan label.
MUSIC / LITERACY TEACHING ARTIST 2001- Present
Over 10 years experience as a Teaching Artist for camp, classroom, and after school music
programs for thousands of students across 7 school districts.
• Extensive experience as an innovative standards based music/literacy curriculum designer,
including the interactive “Rhythmagic” and "UNIVERSAL DRUMMING" drumming / percussion curricula for elementary and
middle school students. Utilizes instructional exercises and games to promote creative expression
and leadership through rhythm awareness.
• Created “Rhythm Jam “ Interactive Rhythm Training curriculum for teachers to implement
drumming in the classroom for motivation and shared peer leadership skills.
• Teach music and literacy fundamentals to middle school children and at-risk youth through
educational and rehabilitation service agencies.
• Certified REMO Health Rhythms drum circle facilitator
• Private drumming and percussion instruction (individual and group)
• Facilitation of Recitals and Ceremonies.
Teaching approach includes:
• Personal style development
• Fundamentals of Reading and hand and stick Technique
• Improvising / Soloing
• Playing songs / Recital performances
• Ensemble/ Band playing
THE SISKIYOU WALFORF SCHOOL - Ashland , OR https://www.siskiyouschool.org/
September 2022- Present
Recruited as a drumming teaching artist due to a unique educational Rhythm-based curriculum for middle
school students.
facilitate Rhythmagic and Universal Drumming curricula for middle school students.
Facilitate annual Fall Music Recital including creation, rehearsal and performance.
Developed and implemented quality control and evaluation tools.
HEARTS GIVING HOPE 501 C3/ CAMP TO BELONG - Los Angeles, CA June 2007 – present
Recruited as an experienced healing/expressive arts and life coaching consultant.
Facilitate music therapy with motivational Rhythm Magic drumming for Orphaned Youth.
Implement quality control and evaluation tools.
ROCK THE CLASSROOM 501 C3 - Los Angeles, CA February
2003 - September 2008
Recruited as the first teaching artist, due to highly motivated and skilled experience in expressive
educational programs with children. Established and instructed unique flagship Standards-Based
classroom curriculum for thousands of students in 6 Los Angeles Area school districts, involving
songwriting, literacy, and music fundamentals.
Facilitated curriculum design, planning, and strategy meetings with teachers.
Developed and implemented quality control and evaluation tools.
Facilitated and recorded recital performances, including creation and rehearsals.
STAR AFTER SCHOOL - Los Angeles, CA https://www.starinc.org/ June
2009- June 2010
Recruited as a drumming teaching artist due to a unique educational Rhythm-based curriculum for
elementary school students.
Facilitated Rhythmagic and Universal drumming curricula for elementary and middle school students.
Created quality control and evaluation tools
DAY JAMS ROCK MUSIC CAMP - Los Angeles CA Summer Sessions 2002 and 2003
As part of the National Guitar Workshop, was recruited as one of the first teaching artists due to a
specialized skill-set in music and performance educational programs with middle school children.
Facilitated Universal Drumming curriculum, band coaching, song writing, and music fundamentals for
middle school summer campers learning to play in a band.
Facilitated motivational Drumming circles.
Contributed to curriculum planning and strategy meetings.
Supervised visual art and video production.
Developed and implemented quality control and evaluation tools.
Facilitated recital performances, including creation and rehearsals.
EDUCATION
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 1978
Bachelor of Science Recreation / Interpretive Services and Education
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 1976
Associates Degree Letters Arts and Sciences
ADDITIONAL SKILLS and CONTRIBUTIONS
Project Management
Staff Training
Event Coordination
Multi-Media Presentations / Audio Recording and Production
REFERENCES ON REQUEST
Christo's hand drumming background includes study with various master teachers in Africa, Brazil, India, and Bali. He has studied drum set with Rick Latham, Bill Reichenbach, The Grove School of Music, and Musicians Institute.
For lessons and consultations call 310-902-9523 references upon request!
Share
Print