Emilia
DrumsPercussionPiano
About Emilia
Ecuadorian percussionist, composer, and arts educator based in Los Angeles. Her work blends classical, contemporary, and popular music rooted in Ecuadorian and Latin American rhythms.
She has taught children and young people in schools, after-school programs, and community arts organizations, helping them explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music-making. A dedicated educator, she has taught in institutions such as UC Riverside, CalArts, Plaza de la Raza, Grand Vision Foundation, Jazz Empowers, and Bloom Arts Foundation, and has helped produce events like CalArts World Music Fest and LatinFest.
She has performed with diverse ensembles such as Plenazo Tribe, Bloco Obini (Brazilian drumming), Greek Rebetiko Trio, Element Band, the Emilia Desiré Quartet, Tambora Musica, Trío Acústico de las Américas (Brazil), and the CalArts World Percussion Ensemble. Her collaborations span styles from traditional Latin American and world music to rock, contemporary and jazz.
Emilia has also worked on multidisciplinary productions including The Lost Tribes (Theatre Dybbuk, Los Angeles), O Senhor das Moscas (São Paulo), and Cabaré Insólito (São Paulo).
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music from São Paulo State University (UNESP), a Master's in World Percussion Performance, and a DMA in Composition from CalArts.
Q&A with Emilia
Which musician would you like to play with?
Carol G
Which musician has influenced you the most?
Gustavo Cerati, Bob Marley, Gary Burton, Hector Lavoe
What can you teach me better on your instrument than any other teacher?
Music appreciation and playing relaxed with confidence.
How did you learn to play your instrument?
In my elementary school band, I was a drummer!
What equipment do you play on today?
I’m interested in world percussion and mallet percussion instruments like the xylophone or vibraphone.
Which personal trait helped you the most while practicing?
Patience, determination, discipline, confidence, and joy.
What does your instrument have that others don't?
Instant interaction and feeling - very accessible.
How do you handle children?
I feel very confortable with children.
What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
Working on my band’s album and touring.
What was the biggest stage you played on?
Performing at the Ford Theater and Hollywood Bowl.
Which record would you take with you to the desert island?
Legend by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Besides music, what else is important in your life?
social interaction, traveling, and exploring new places
Music style(s)
latin musicworld musicrockclassical
Level(s) Comfortable Teaching
Beginner to Advanced
What languages can you teach in?
EnglishSpanish
Videos
Bands, Projects, Notable Performances, Collaborations
Plenazo Tribe, Element Band, Greek Rembetiko Trio, Tambora Musica, ZZK Records
Other Music-related work / goals
Recording a solo album
Personal Interests
performing and recording