Profile

About me

Percussionist, Session musician, private lesson instructor and artist, Jocelyn Alvarez is a born and raised native New Yorker who originates from the grand borough of the Bronx.

As a young proud Latina of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent she brings her outstanding skills to play in the historically rich New York latin music scene. She's an exciting, aggressive latin percussionist who's deep musical knowledge allows her to express a wide ranging musical vocabulary. Latin jazz, salsa, hip-hop, neo soul, and gospel are just a few of the styles she can easily claim to have contributed her fine artistic touch to. As a kid in the Bronx she began her musical instruction in piano, flute and vocals. It was then that she realized her true passion was percussion with a focus on hand instruments.

Her early mentor former Tito Puente orchestra/band leader Jose Madera introduced her to the Harbor Conservatory Of The Performing Arts a 26 year old cultural landmark in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood of upper Manhattan. There she studied with world class percussionists George Delgado, Johnny Almendra and Mauricio Herrera. Currently Jocelyn is pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the Nyack School of Music where she is majoring in Music

Performance/Percussion. Ultimately her goals are to continue performing and to pass on the gift of music through teaching. Jocelyn's long list of live performances include appearances at major festivals, banquets, and corporate events with clients such as North Fork Bank. Recently she had the honor of performing at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall with other musicians from the Nyack School Of Music. In more intimate settings she's performed in small combos and alongside dj's in small clubs and coffeehouses.

She has also performed at formal events like weddings and birthdays. Her immense talent, creativity, and dynamics make her an invaluable team player in any group setting as well as a passionate solo performer when needed. So far her performances have only just begun to give her the gifts of the heart that continue to feed her passion for music and life. I want to encourage people to pursue their dreams in music by not letting anything stand in their way, whether its gender or age. You are the only one that can put limitations on yourself, or push yourself without limitations.

Jocelyn is a proud endorser of Kaman music products and Toca Percussion and was recently voted "Rising Star of the Year" in the August 2009 edition of DRUM! Magazine and Runner up, Studio Percussionist.