Pandemic didn’t stop Ventura County drummers from winning scholarships

CAMARILLO, Calif. – Ventura County music teacher Al Velasquez used his time during the pandemic to focus on teaching drums online.

This year, three of his drum pupils, including his son, are graduating and have accepted scholarships to music colleges across the U.S.

Al's son, Angelo, graduated from Cal State Northridge received the Disney Scholarship from Cal Arts toward his Masters Degree in music for Fall 2021.

Angelo was on the Dean's list with a 4.0 average, his dad says. He was also selected as 2021 Down Beat Magazine college jazz composer of the year.

Camarillo High School graduate and drummer Andre Burton received a full-ride music scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville and was also selected as a member of the 2020 State Honor jazz band.

Camarillo High School graduate Jacob Speth received a music scholarship to the University of North Texas. Down Beat Magazine's 2021 also named Speth as a member of the top high school combo in the nation with Colburn school of the Arts, Los Angeles.

Their teacher always said, "Proper preparation is always the key to success."

"It was a gift to watch these boys grow into happy young men who love playing music," Velazquez said.