Tiago Michelin's musical journey began when his parents met at the Berklee College of Music, and as a toddler he was a fixture at their rehearsals and gigs, Jazz and South American music constantly on rotation at home. One night, his father, pianist/composer Nando Michelin, came across a dilapidated vintage Westwood drum set in the basement of his weekly gig, and this became his first substitute for the pots and pans at home.
While being raised in Brazil, he learned how to play traditional Brazilian percussion through capoeira lessons in school, while continuing his drum set studies at ProArte music school in Rio de Janeiro. By fifteen, living back in Cambridge, he knew music was his calling, and began performing in Nando's band, in addition to attending the New England Conservatory preparatory school with a full scholarship. He began studying with Boston Guru, the late Bob Gullotti, at 17, until the end of college. At eighteen, he received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and in 2015, graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Performance. There he also studied with Ralph Peterson, Dave DiCenso, and many others. Since then Tiago has relocated to Brooklyn, NY, where he continues to teach, accompany modern dance classes and perform. He also is the regular drummer with Eliane Elias and Marc Johnson, performing internationally at jazz venues and festivals. Other past employers and mentors he's shared the bandstand with include Kenny Werner, Sean Jones, Helio Alvez, Nilson Matta, Guillermo Klein, Jeff Ballard, Leo Blanco, Nando Michelin, Ebinho Cardoso, Esperanza Spalding, Jerry Bergonzi, George Garzone, among countless more. ![]()
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