A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Berklee College of Music with over 25 years of international performance and recording experience.
Cengiz is an elite percussionist and educator who graduated Summa Cum Laude from the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 1998 with a Bachelor in Percussion Performance. His journey began as a high school national competition winner, which launched an extensive career performing in jazz and rock ensembles worldwide.
Throughout his career, Cengiz has toured Europe extensively and performed at world-renowned venues, including the Blue Note in New York City. From 2007 to 2016, he was the primary drummer for a major rock ensemble, balancing large-scale touring with session work. This breadth of experience allows him to teach students not just how to play, but how to succeed in professional musical environments.
Teaching since 1998, Cengiz specializes in Jazz, Rock, R&B, Funk, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian rhythms. He is particularly known for his expertise in Odd Meters and complex time signatures, making him an ideal mentor for intermediate to advanced students as well as motivated beginners.
Cengiz teaches from a professional ~480 sq ft recording studio equipped with DW drum sets and professional audio/video recording capabilities. He maintains an easy-going yet disciplined teaching philosophy, focusing on technical precision and musicality.
Studio Equipment: Professional DW drum sets, high-end practice pads, Yamaha Digital Piano, and Logic-based recording setup.