Cameron Figueroa’s playing experience stems from a specialized lineage gained through his years of playing in both the DCI and WGI Circuits and the Orchestral setting. Mr. Figueroa marched marimba with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, Rosemont, IL, for three seasons (2014, 2015, 2016) where he gained the distinction of Rookie of the Year in 2014, Drum Sergeant, Center Marimba, and became the recipient of the Zildjian Award during his age-out in the 2016 season. He marched marimba with Music City Mystique, Nashville, TN, for two seasons (2016, 2017) where he was Section Leader and Center marimba during Mystique’s historic, undefeated gold medal year in 2017. While with Music City Mystique, Mr. Figueroa performed at Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 2016, as well as on National Television for the Country Music Television Awards in 2018. Other experiences include performing with Dark Sky Percussion, Long Beach, CA, for four years (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015), becoming section leader and center marimba during the 2015 season while also helping aid the ensemble to the ascension from Open Class to World Class. His instructors over the years were Erik Johnson, Matt Jordan, Alan Miller, Don Click, Joe Roach, Mike McIntosh, Angelo Outlaw, Dean Johnson, Rob Pastor, Craig Loeffler, Meagan Nelson, Erick Eckstrom, Justin Lee, Seth Woodard, and Jesse Hirakawa.
Biography
In addition to His marching career, Mr. Figueroa has an orchestral career having performed with the Arizona Opera, Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra, Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Arizona Symphony and Wind Ensemble, and the University of Georgia Orchestra. He was also a finalist in the Principal Percussion audition for the Arizona Opera which resulted in becoming a first call substitute player.
In addition to Mr. Figueroa’s performing career, he is equally recognized as an educator for the players of tomorrow. He has had a private studio since 2012, teaching students from Elementary school to Undergraduate level. Over the years he has been a marching technician in many different settings such as: Current Front Ensemble Instructor/Percussion Class Instructor for Seven Lakes High School (Katy, TX), Current Front Ensemble Instructor/Percussion Class Instructor for Stephen F. Austin High School (Richmond, TX), Front Ensemble Instructor for the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band for their 2018 and 2019 season (Athens, GA), Front Ensemble Instructor for Music City Mystique in their 2018 season, Front Ensemble Instructor for Mt. Juliet High School (Nashville, TN) in 2016 and 2017, and Front Ensemble Caption Head, Arranger and Instructor for Sabino High School (Tucson, AZ) in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Students that have studied under Mr. Figueroa have placed in ensembles such as The Cavaliers, Music City Mystique, The Blue Devils, Madison Scouts, The Academy, Dark Sky Percussion, and Music City Drum Corps. Private students have also accomplished placement into various college programs and pre-college programs such as Interlochen. In addition to his work as music educator, Mr. Figueroa teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) to Chinese children through VIPKid.
Mr. Figueroa holds a M.M. in Percussion Performance, With Distinction, from the University of Georgia, where he studied under Timothy K. Adams Jr. (Former Principal Timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra) and Kimberly Toscano-Adams (Former Principal Timpanist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra). During his time at the University of Georgia, Mr. Figueroa was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship. His assistantship duties included teaching the front ensemble for the University’s Redcoat Marching Band as well as teaching lessons to Music Minor students in the percussion studio. Mr. Figueroa also taught Marching Percussion content in the Percussion Methods Class. At the culmination of his studies, he received the George L. and Caroline D. Strobel Orchestra Student Support Award for outstanding Academic Performance. While in between degrees and living in Nashville, TN, Mr. Figueroa studied privately with Lee Vinson (Former Principal Percussionist of the Boston Symphony) and worked as a freelance artist. He was employed at Innovative Percussion for two years. While there, he learned mallet making and stick construction from the source which adds a unique element to decisions in his playing and teaching. Mr. Figueroa earned his B.M. in Percussion Performance, Magna Cum Laude, at the University of Arizona, where he studied under Dr. Norman Weinberg (prolific PAS contributor, long time educator, and Percussionist) and Christopher Wabich (LA Studio Drumset Player and Steel Pan Player).
Mr. Figueroa currently resides in Houston, TX with his wife and two dogs. Aside from playing and teaching, in his free time, he loves to play Disc Golf and cook.
