Alejandro Céspedes

Alejandro Céspedes, M.Mus. A percussionist and educator who graduated from the University of Toronto and Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana, Cuba. Céspedes is the principal percussionist of the Casa Loma, Ontario Pops, and Mississauga Symphony Orchestras and has performed with the National Opera and Ballet Orchestra of Cuba, as well as the Niagara, Kingston, TO Live, and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. He has performed with Bobby McFerrin, Jane Bunnett, the Buena Vista Social Club, and was featured at the Toronto Body Percussion Festival. He has performed as Front of House percussionist for the Mirvish Productions' Disney's The Lion King, and is a versatile artist with a background in acting and dance, including performances in Jacinto; Uno, Dos y Tres; Venom of Love; and The Power of Harriet T!.
As an educator, Céspedes founded and conducted the steelpan ensembles at the National Music Camp of Canada, Music By The Lake (Toronto District School Board Music Camp), and the Regent Park School of Music; the latter performed with 2Cellos and at events such as the Luminato and Toronto Jazz Festivals. He has also taught percussion at the Manuel Saumell and Amadeo Roldán Conservatories in Havana. He has presented on body percussion at Lizt Alfonso Dance Company in Havana and McGill University in Montreal and Cuban Carnaval at Birch Creek Music Performance Centre, Prairie Music Residency, and MusicFest Canada. Céspedes is an artist/endorser of Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments, and Humes & Berg.