Taku Hirano’s journey began in Osaka, Japan, where he was born with a natural inclination towards rhythm and music. When his father’s textile company relocated to California, destiny brought him to Central California, specifically Fresno, where his passion for percussion would flourish under the guidance of an extraordinary teacher, Brenda Myers.

In the unassuming town of Fresno, Taku was fortunate to cross paths with Brenda, a seasoned and enthusiastic percussion instructor. With a deep well of knowledge and a profound love for music, Brenda took young Taku under her wing and introduced him to the captivating world of percussion.

Under Brenda’s mentorship, Taku’s talent blossomed, and he embraced the diverse offerings of her percussion ensembles. From Afro Cuban rhythms to the vibrant beats of Brazilian percussion, Taku was exposed to a rich tapestry of musical styles. Additionally, he learned to master timpani and mallet percussion, honing his skills across a wide range of instruments.

As one of Brenda’s earliest students, Taku’s dedication and passion for music became evident. He eagerly embraced each lesson, absorbing Brenda’s teachings with fervor and dedication. Throughout his time with her, Taku grew not only as a percussionist but also as a musician deeply attuned to the power of rhythm and melody.

Brenda’s unwavering commitment to her students and her innovative approach to teaching left an indelible mark on Taku. Her encouragement and guidance instilled in him a lifelong love for percussion and a desire to explore new musical horizons.

Today, Taku Hirano stands as a renowned percussionist and musician, having carved a remarkable career in the world of music. His journey, ignited in Fresno by the inspiration of Brenda Myers, serves as a testament to the transformative power of dedicated mentors and the enduring impact of nurturing young talent. Taku’s success and artistic achievements are a reflection of the passion and knowledge passed down to him by Brenda, whose legacy continues to resonate in the beats he plays and the music he creates.

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Roman Rivera is a multifaceted musician and devoted music educator, whose journey began at the age of 7 when they first embraced the drums. As a former member of We Got the Beat under Brenda Myers, Roman’s musical aspirations soared, leading them to achieve numerous awards and accolades.

As a recent magna cum laude graduate of CSU Fresno with a BA in Music Education, Roman achieved notable accolades, including 2nd place Multi Percussion Soloist and 3rd place Marimba Soloist in California PAS competitions. Other noteworthy triumphs include being named the 2016 SJVC GPR snare drum solo champion, and attaining the prestigious DCI Open Class gold medalist distinction in 2015. 

After being a touring drummer for various musical projects in their late teens, Roman started “roman around” and made a significant impact with their debut singles, receiving premieres on the esteemed KCRW “Morning Becomes Eclectic” radio show. Additionally, their music gained recognition on Spotify Fresh Finds’ editorial playlists and garnered critical acclaim from tastemaker sites like Dummy, Ones To Watch, and Grimy Goods.

Beyond their performances, Roman remains deeply committed to supporting fellow artists in the Fresno community and actively contributing to various music projects, solidifying their influence as versatile and dedicated musician.

Drummer Mckenna Reeve (she/her) is a versatile performer in many styles on instruments including drumset, vibraphone, and world percussion hailing from Fresno, California. She received her Bachelors in Jazz Studies in 2020 and her Masters in Jazz Composition in 2022, both from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Her debut album Lavender Skies and Golden Plains was released in May of 2022–featuring original jazz compositions and can be found on Bandcamp, Spotify, and wherever else you find music. Mckenna can be heard on No Hands Brass Band’s EP Off the Curb (2021), Chloe Resler’s Amazilia (2019), Julie Koenig’s Renaissance Woman (2021), and live with a variety of projects.

An active composer and educator, Mckenna has written for UNC’s Lab bands and their jazz festival All Star Band and maintains a private studio of drum set students. She can be found teaching, writing, and performing in the southern California area, where she currently resides. More information as well as original charts for purchase can be found at https://www.mckennareevemusic.com/

Lynn Vartan is an international performer and educator who is an advocate for diversity in music. Lynn has been featured in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Mexico and Europe, in addition to frequent solo appearances in Los Angeles and elsewhere in the US. Lynn has recorded with ECM, New World Records, Yarlung Records, Albany Records, and was Grammy® nominated three times on Cambria with Southwest Chamber Music. Lynn endorses Remo, Paiste, Innovative Percussion and Marimba One.

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Jeron Schapansky started playing drums in 2007, and joined We Got the Beat in 2008. He performed with the group for three years, and went on to perform in school band and jazz band. After high school, Jeron began playing in covers bands, playing lots of different events nearly every weekend. In 2017, Jeron joined California progressive metal outfit Artificial Language. Artificial Language continues to write and record their own music, as well as play live shows in the US and internationally. Jeron started teaching private drum lessons in 2019, and continues to teach in Fresno, California.

Hayley Brownell is 29 year old emotive and passionate drummer/songwriter/artist based in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the Fresno area, and participated in We Got the Beat from 2001 to 2005, and Beyond the Beat from 2005 to 2008. She also taught drum set during Summer Drum Camp for us in the past.

After receiving her bachelors in music at California State University Northridge in 2015, Hayley has had the pleasure of touring internationally/recording for multiple artists such as, Olivia Rodrigo, Conan Gray, Cailin Russo, Drake Bell and Daya. She currently is solely working with Olivia Rodrigo.

Along with her freelance achievements, Hayley has recently launched her new solo career under the name, Changeling. You can find her music on your preferred music platform.