AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENCIES, MASTER CLASSES, CLINICS & WORKSHOPS

Dafnis Prieto is a gifted educator who has conducted numerous master classes, clinics, and workshops. Dafnis was a faculty member of Jazz Studies at NYU from 2005 to 2014, and in 2015 became a faculty member at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.

He has created a very personal method to teach to his students. In his drum clinics and master classes, Dafnis teaches how to use traditional Cuban rhythms in an innovative way, from a new perspective of sounds, including not only the extraordinary polyrhythmic possibilities but through the use of melodic themes within the drums, building very particular rhythmic lines using improvisation as a very important factor.

CLINICS & WORKSHOPS SUMMARY

  • Stanford Jazz Workshop, August 2017
  • Meet the Masters Series, Kimmel Center Jazz Camp, 2015
  • Drum Festival Switzerland, 2015
  • Stick Man Drum Experience, 2014
  • Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Sep. 2011
  • Drummers Collective, NYC, July 2011
  • Berkeley Jazz School, CA, April 2011
  • Lafayette College, Easton, PA, Sep. 2010
  • Northwestern University, Bienen School of Music, Evanston, IL, Aug. 2010
  • NYU Summer Improv Workshop, NYC, July 2010
  • Long & McQuade, Toronto, Canada, March 2010
  • PAS at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, March 2010
  • The Banff Center, Banff, Canada, Jan. 2010
  • Drum Fantasy Camp, 2009
  • NYU Jazz Master Class Series, Spring 2009
  • Workshop at Dartmouth College, 2009
  • Dafnis Prieto Clinic at PASIC, 2008
  • Master Class at East Carolina University, 2005
  • NYU Jazz Master Class Series, Spring 2004
  • Master Class at the Festival International of Percussion, Puerto Rico, 2003
  • With Steve Coleman
    • Concerts & workshops, Tonic, NYC, 2003
    • Workshops, UC Berkeley, CA, 2001
  • Master class with Billy Higgins and Tootie Heath, Stanford University, 1998
  • Music & Dance workshop, Stanford University, 1998

FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC FACULTY SPOTLIGHT: DAFNIS PRIETO

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Why do you enjoy teaching?

I enjoy teaching because it is a direct way to interact and communicate experiences to new generations of artists/musicians that are eager to learn. The process of teaching brings a sense of spirituality that is experienced through a reciprocal appreciation. It also brings a great deal of self-discipline because it involves dedication, and the commitment between the teacher and the student.

What do you hope to pass on to your students?

First of all, the joy behind what we do and how to keep that joy through a creative attitude, either while practicing or playing. I like to bring consciousness of ideas and work on the different techniques to make those ideas possible. I like to bring awareness of musical traditions as well as the creative approach to making music. There are a vast number of possibilities when we approach music, therefore, I always give the students the freedom to choose, but with a personalized guidance and a body of knowledge that will support each particular intention.