Lisette

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Lisette Santiago is a multi-instrumentalist who began singing at the age of four. When she was nine years old, she auditioned and was accepted into the Children’s Metropolitan Choir. She later pursued her musical studies at the famed LaGuardia High school of Music and the Arts, and while at Columbia University, received vocal coaching as part of a Columbia–Juilliard joint program.A daughter of Puerto Rican parents, Lisette’s primary musical experience was rooted in Latin music. Lisette began learning hand percussion in her former years and later went on to study drum kit. She has studied Afro-Cuban percussion such as Bata and congas with great masters in Cuba and in New York. As well as her exploration of Cuban rhythms and songs, Lisette has been learning Brazilian percussion and currently sings and plays percussion within several Brazilian bands.Lisette is currently residing in Brooklyn and performs and teaches in and out of the US. As a performer, Lisette plays in bands ranging in musical styles and is currently a member of the popular group, BEAT THE DONKEY; led by the Grammy award winning percussionist, Cyro Baptista. She has had the opportunity to record and play with artists such as Q-Tip, The Jungle Brothers, Itaal Shur, Richard Bona, Matthew Garrison and Ricky Martin. As a teaching artist, Lisette teaches percussion and chorus throughout the New York City public school system, as well as, participates in workshops given throughout the country.