Percussionist Isidro "Boba" Bobadilla, who has recorded with many artists including Juan Luis Guerra, played tambora and guira with WHEELS music students last Friday during a class where he discussed the history of merengue music. WHEELS students are now fortunate enough to have the opportunity to take weekly classes with Boba!

WHEELS 1st and 2nd graders have been studying percussion and playing a cha-cha-cha groove in music class. Here are some of the 2nd graders practicing reading and playing their parts in groups.

Meanwhile, returning middle and high school band students have been working hard coaching new band students.

A trio of WHEELS band students performed on live TV at WNET's (Channel Thirteen New York Public Media) studio for National Voter Registration Day last Tuesday!

WHEELS band students performed salsa music for an enthusiastic crowd at SSEU371's Latino Heritage Celebration on Friday evening, opening for Ray De La Paz!

Our tenor sax player that performed at this event just started a GoFundMe campaign to buy a professional quality tenor sax: https://www.gofundme.com/keepitswinging/

The school year is off to a strong start! All three bands are busy rehearsing, and the elementary and middle school general music classes have started learning to play a cha-cha-cha groove on Latin percussion instruments.

WHEELS alum Saudy Familia, now studying drums and composition at Berklee College of Music, recently released his debut Latin Jazz album, Someone To Hold featuring his own compositions. Check it out on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, CD Baby or wherever you buy music!

Seven WHEELS Music students performed in the Latin Band, Jazz Band, Guitar Ensemble and Saxophone Ensemble at the incredible final concert for Camp MSM last Friday! They had the opportunity to work with some of the best student and professional musicians in the world, and after such a fun and inspiring experience at Camp MSM WHEELS students and teachers are ready to carry that inspiration into the new school year.

It's been a great summer so far! One of our rising 9th graders attended the Junior Jazz Academy at the Juilliard School! Meanwhile, seven more WHEELS Music students are currently attending Camp MSM, and Mr. Johnson had a great time jamming, learning and presenting at Modern Band Rockfest 2016.

Here's a photo of WHEELS students rehearsing with the Latin band at MSM!