The Los Angeles Post

The Rhythm That Moves the World, The Love That Connects Us All

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— The 2025 Inaugural Los Angeles International Drummers Festival Concludes Successfully

(Los Angeles, August 31, 2025) — Over a sunshine-filled, energetic long weekend, Los Angeles welcomed a unique public-welfare music event. The inaugural Los Angeles International Drummers Festival 2025, co-hosted by the Global Percussion Educators Alliance and the Sunshine Heart Foundation, and co-organized by Nine Beats Drummer Academy USA, RAYA Art & Education, and the Franklin Foundation, opened to thunderous applause and electrifying drumbeats.

This festival was not only a feast of art but also a gathering of compassion. World-renowned percussion artists from Southern California, youth drummers, and children with special needs shared the same stage, using music to echo heartbeats and rhythm to build human connection.

All funds raised from the event will be dedicated to establishing the “Special Children & Youth Percussion Learning Fund”, aimed at helping more children find confidence and joy through music and better integrate into community life.

International & Educational Forces Empower Public Good

As one of the core organizers, the Global Percussion Educators Alliance brought together percussion artists and educators from around the world. Under the leadership of its founder and president, Hongyu Li, the festival has become more than a performance stage—it is a vital bridge linking international cultural exchange with public-welfare engagement.

Nine Beats Drummer Academy, one of China’s most influential percussion education brands, has long adhered to the belief that “music education should serve society.” Since entering the U.S., the Academy has actively engaged in community service and public-good projects while promoting professional drumming education. By co-hosting this international festival in Los Angeles, Nine Beats not only showcased the strength of Chinese music education abroad but also highlighted the responsibility of the Chinese diaspora in promoting cultural exchange and serving local communities.

Another co-organizer, RAYA Art & Education in Irvine, is known for its inc

lusive arts programs. RAYA accepts both typically developing children and those with special needs, designing tailored courses for each. For this festival, RAYA joined hands with the Sunshine Heart Foundation to create a free drumming class for children with special needs, led by licensed music therapists. Founder and host Ya Juan gave an emotional opening speech, expressing gratitude to the children, parents, audience, and all who support this special community.

Highlights of the Performances

The opening ceremony featured 26 young special-needs drummers from RAYA Art & Education performing alongside outstanding students from Nine Beats, delivering a moving ensemble titled “Drumming to Move the World.” The heartfelt performance was both a milestone in the children’s artistic growth and a powerful demonstration of music transcending barriers.

The momentum soared as three world-renowned drumming masters—Bobby Rock, Kaz Rodriguez, and Ray Audette—delivered world-class performances that electrified the audience.

Later, 55 students from Nine Beats Drummer Academy USA gave a thrilling, synchronized drum performance filled with energy and precision, igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm. Seed Music School students also contributed two creative and touching programs that won rapturous applause.

Distinguished Guests Celebrate Art and Compassion

The event was graced by several notable guests:

  • Fenghua Chen, Cultural Consul of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles, praised the children’s performance, saying their joy in music was deeply moving.

  • U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu sent a congratulatory certificate, presented by Franklin Foundation co-founder Jianping Qu.

  • Irvine City Councilmember Melinda Liu and Vice Mayor James Mai commended RAYA’s contribution in creating both artistic opportunities for children with special needs and a support network for their families.

  • Dr. Tianlong Jiao, Deputy Director and Chief Curator of the Bowers Museum, expressed gratitude for hosting the event, noting that it was the museum’s first percussion festival of such scale, and was profoundly touched by the children’s growth through music.

Guests and audiences alike lauded the festival for highlighting the role of music in promoting cultural exchange, fostering social inclusion, and spreading compassion.

Art and Public Good in Harmony

As the first international drummers festival in Southern California, the event not only demonstrated the power of percussion art but also amplified the warmth of philanthropy. From master-level performances to the heartfelt participation of youth and children with special needs, the festival embodied the message that “music knows no borders, and love knows no barriers.”

Coco Liu, head of the Sunshine Heart Foundation, pledged to continue advancing similar public-good projects, mobilizing resources to help more families and children integrate into their communities and build confidence through art.