Joseph Villena Jr
also known as J.J. (Joey Jr)...
"As a little boy growing up in Hawai'i, I remember using chopsticks to play on drums I made out of lamp shades and coffee cans..."
Little did he know that percussion and music would become one of his greatest passions in life. Now in 2006, J.J. has 17 years of experience under his belt, both performing and teaching. Formally introduced into the world of percussion by brother-in-law and first drum coach, Carl Reed II, J.J. started off in the marching band program at Madison High School as a cymbal player then eventually making his way up to playing bass drum. From there, he transferred over to Mira Mesa High School, where he learned under Henry Stoker, who helped solidify and greatly improve his rudimentary basics and abilities for the remainder of his high school years. As a senior in high school, J.J. along w/ over 300 others, auditioned for a drum spot with the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps of Anahiem, CA. Of the 300+ auditioning, J.J. landed one of the 3 spots available as a Tenor Drummer, where he learned under the instruction of Drum Corps' legendary couple, Tom and Catherine Float. Being one of the youngest corps members at the age of 17, J.J. was surrounded by incredible blossoming musicians as old as 21. After a summer of touring and competing across the country, J.J. came back to his alma mater; Mira Mesa H.S., to become the new percussion instructor in 1994 and has been there ever since. Along w/ teaching Mira Mesa, he has taught marching percussion for multiple Southern California Jr & Sr High School programs, along with being a co-arranger and instructor for 2 San Diego Jr. Corps: Earthquake and now Sr. Division, Esperanza. Branching off from marching percussion, J.J. was able to apply his knowledge and experiences to other genres and style of percussion. His instructor, Tom Float, also runs the infamous "Trash Can Trio" sidewalk show at Disneyland in Los Angeles, and J.J. was fortunate to be chosen to bring this same show to Las Vegas at the MGM Grand's Indoor Park. All these experiences have played a critical factor in how he approaches percussion today...
On a different note for J.J., Hawai'i has always been home. "When you grow up in paradise, then have to relocate and leave it behind, only then do you begin to appreciate the island life you were once raised in..." Unable to just pack his bags and head back, J.J. brought the island life to him. Little did he know, there were many many Polynesian's and former Hawai'i residents living in Southern California. Since 1999, J.J. had been fortunate to participate and use his many years of drumming abilities and music knowledge, to apply it and contribute his joys with some of the best Polynesian competition and show groups in the world... Not only did J.J. perform as a musician playing ukulele, banjo, tahitian drumming and singing... he also performed as a kane (male) dancer w/ experiences in Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian and Maori traditional and modern choreography.
Tying into his love for Polynesian music, J.J. was introduced to Jawaiian music. He then decided to pick up drumset percussion and played for local island-style bands; Trade Roots and Tribal Theory and is still currently working w/ The Polynesian Underground. Then in late 2005, J.J. and his buddy, established R&B/Soul singer, Noly, decided to form a new band called WonderStruck. This new band has been making big strides and is working towards making a full length CD in 2006/2007. Along w/ WonderStruck, J.J. has also been working on his own personal solo project as the lead singer and ukulele player.
Over the last 12 years, he has been teaching and spreading the joy of learning and performing music, whether it be drumming, vocal arranging, or ukulele playing. J.J. truly believes that teaming up with the Pacific Arts Dance Studio, will open even more doors to his creativity and allow him to share his joys with even more people than before. If you want to learn, he's willing to teach to the best of his abilities! "I'm truly blessed to have learned from some of the best musicians I have ever known... Music has truly filled my soul, and I want to share the wealth in it's joy wholeheartedly!"
Aloha
Joseph Villena Jr.
2006
