Freddy Dugard
Born and raised in the borough of Queens in New York City, Freddy is a Drumbeat and City Sticks Drum Programs developer specializing in stress management, who for over a decade, has been facilitating group empowerment workshops for New York City primary and secondary schools, universities, corporations, and health care facilities, such as Cohen`s Children’s Hospital / North Shore-LIJ Health System. In 1997, he received an educator’s endorsement from Pro Mark Drumsticks Evens Drumheads and Plays GMS Drums. He produced his instructional tape “Drum Workout,” which was sold through Modern Drummer Magazine and the Long Island Drum Center. To raise the bar in his music therapy training, he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Barry Bittman, M.D. to become a certified Remo (R) Trained Health Rhythm facilitator.
Freddy has found a way to bring his record-breaking athletic self-discipline and natural aptitude to his musical skills. As a teen, he attended Thomas Edison High School where during a competition at Princeton University, he competed against Olympic gold-medalist sprinter, Willie Smith, in the 300 yard dash setting the national record as the fastest sophomore in the nation. After attending Tennessee Tech University on a full athletic scholarship to study music, he eventually returned to his hometown. In addition, he has backed up and recorded with notable recording artists, Roy Ayers, Bobbi Humphrey, and Lala.
Freddy continues to explore different avenues of musical performance by expanding his repertoire as musical director for the Symphony Space production of Dreamgirls (2006), and as percussionist in the York College productions of Little Shop of Horrors (2009) Fame (2010) and Rent (2012). He currently teaches “The Art of Drumming” program throughout the Queens Library System, the Malvern School of Music, and at York College of the City University of New York as a Continuing Education Instructor.
He presently offers private drum lessons to beginner and advanced students at his Queens music studio, and is a staff member at York College of the City University of New York Performing and Fine Arts Department. Freddy Dugard's Hit Squad, a race and gender mixed band performing jazz, funk, and soul, currently performs throughout the Tri-state area.