Mantra Percussion Inc.

Mantra Percussion, Inc. is a future-focused organization committed to a lasting influence on percussion music through the creation of new works by living composers and creators from across the social spectrum — establishing lasting relationships with our collaborators; by developing equitable music communities through collaboration, support, and concert presenting; by mentoring new generations of diverse artists to significantly reshape the classical music landscape; and by engaging audiences through immersive, evening-length events that convey a grander artistic vision.

Since forming in 2009, Mantra Percussion's ensembles have been featured throughout North America, Europe and Asia, including BAM's Next Wave Festival, the Bang on a Can Marathon, Sacrum Profanum Festival (Poland), Now Music Festival (South Korea), the GAIDA festival (Lithuania), Duke Performances, National Public Radio, the Drogheda Festival (Ireland), the Ecstatic Music Festival, Mass MoCA and more. Over the past 14 years we have commissioned and/or premiered over 100 new works for percussion ensemble.

Across our organization we've developed 4 distinct creative outlets.

Mantra Percussion: Our flagship sextet collaborates with artists from diverse backgrounds and redefines the landscape of percussion concerts and events.

Recap: a professional percussion quartet of BIPOC women, all alumni of Mantra Youth Percussion. Recap reevaluates the white, male-dominated world of percussion amplifying a message of representation, community, and equity.

The Necessary Noise Festival: our annual music festival is the largest percussion event on the east coast, bringing together scholastic, collegiate, and professional musicians to share a wide spectrum of styles, while promoting percussion to the greater community.

Mantra Youth Percussion: our tuition-free youth ensemble offers under-represented students unique, percussion music mentorship and high-level performance opportunities, giving students the tools to realize their own potential, while fostering artistic excellence and inclusiveness.

Who are we?

Administration

  • Aaliyah Geiger

    • Intern
  • Deivy Mejia

    • Intern
  • James Bogert

    • Mantra Youth Percussion Instructional Staff
  • Jazmine Andes

    • Social Media & Marketing
  • Jessica Bergen

    • Mantra Youth Percussion Recruitment Coordinator
  • Joseph Bergen

    • Co-Artistic Director
    • Mantra Youth Percussion Instructional Staff
  • Joseph Brown

    • Mantra Youth Percussion Director
  • Mark Utley

    • Web Development and Design
  • Michael McCurdy

    • Co-Artistic Director
  • Miguel Bolivar

    • Executive Director
  • Mika Godbole

    • Co-Artistic Director
  • Noelia Figuereo

    • Mantra Youth Percussion Instructional Staff
  • Serena Huang

    • Intern
  • Taylor Furman

    • Mantra Youth Percussion Instructional Staff

Recap

  • Alexis Carter

    • Aline Vasquez

      • Arlene Acevedo

        • Tiahna Sterling

          Mantra Percussion Emeritus

          • Al Cerulo

            • Jude Traxler

              • Matt Kantorski

                • Nick Woodbury

                  • Owen Weaver

                    Mantra Percussion

                    • Caitlin Cawley

                      • Christopher Graham

                        • Joseph Bergen

                          • Mark Utley

                            • Michael McCurdy

                              • Mika Godbole