Independence 1

Chad Smith is the legendary drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and a 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Renowned as one of the greatest rock drummers of all time, Smith is celebrated for his explosive, funk-infused style characterized by powerful grooves and a seamless blend of rock and punk energy. Beyond his signature rhythm, he is a dedicated advocate for music education and supports various philanthropic efforts through his own charitable initiatives, focusing on providing resources for aspiring musicians and supporting youth-focused programs.

Ralph Humphrey is a legendary drummer and educator whose career spanned over five decades. He served as Drum Department Head and partnered with Joe Porcaro to write the drum set curriculum for both Musicians Institute and Los Angeles College of Music. This is the same curriculum used by their longtime student Mike Packer in The Drum Channel Method, along with Drum Channel lessons taught by Ralph Humphrey. He mentors thousands of students, many of whom have become top touring and recording artists. Ralph also performed and recorded with icons such as Frank Zappa, Don Ellis, Al Jarreau, and Natalie Cole, and contributed to numerous film and television productions like The Simpsons, Animaniacs, and Dancing with the Stars.      

Val Sepulveda is an LA-based drummer, respected as a private teacher and instructor at Musicians Institute. Her style combines rock, pop, funk, and Latin. She’s was the winner of the Hit Like a Girl contest in 2013. Her first instrument was piano. She started playing drums at the age of 14, at which point she knew she wanted to play drums for the rest of her life.