Jazz Studies: Latin Percussion Aaron Serfaty was born in Caracas, Venezuela. There he was first-call recording drummer from 1981 until 1991 when he moved to Los Angeles, California to study at CalArts. Since that time he has played and/or recorded with Clare Fischer, Sergio Mendes, Arturo Sandoval, Dori Caymmi, Frank Quintero, Larry Williams, Pauline Wilson, Bill Cunliffe, Frank Gambale, Shelly Berg, Don Grusin, Rebecca Parris, Otmaro Ruiz, Ashley Maher, Raya Yarbrough, as well as part of the house band for Chick Singer Night, among many others. Aaron is currently the director of USC's Afro Latin American Jazz Ensemble, co-director of the Latin band at CalArts, and instructor of Afro Cuban and Brazilian rhythms for drum set at the Los Angeles Music Academy. He also authored the Afro Caribbean section of Peter Erskine's book Drum Set Essentials, published by Alfred Publishing. He has recently taught Afro Cuban and Brazilian master classes for the Henry Mancini Institute. He also participated in the First International Drummers Conference in Caracas, Venezuela in 2005. aserfaty@calarts.edu