Blaze Benavides

Blaze Benavides is a Percussionist and Audio Technician from the small coastal bend town of Alice, Texas. He received a B.M. in Performance and Music Industry at James Madison University. Blaze is now a Graduate Assistant for Georgia State University in Atlanta pursuing an M.M. in Orchestral Instrumental Performance. He has had the privilege to study under Marlon Foster, Aaron Trumbore, Casey Cangelosi, Dr. Stuart Gerber, and Dr. Kellen King. With 10 years of experience as both a student and professional, He has planted roots in the many facets of the music industry including performing, recording/mixing audio, and video editing.

Blaze’s performance career began in his undergrad as a member of the James Madison University Drumline, Wind Symphony, and Symphony Orchestra. Most notably, he represented the James Madison Brass Band and Percussion Ensemble in Huntsville, Alabama at the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Championship where both ensembles placed 1st, winning the Championship Division. Last Summer, Blaze was invited to perform in the Shippensburg Festival in Shippensburg, PA and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival in Harrisonburg, VA. He also completed an internship with Artifact Percussion workshop assisting in producing highquality handcrafted implements. As of recent, he pursues freelance work as Blaze Percussion having performed in the greater Atlanta area with the Georgia Philharmonic, the GSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble.