Bradford (Brayden) Reed is a percussionist based in the Chicago area, and currently attending Ithaca College School of Music in Ithaca, NY.  He has previously studied with Don Skoog, Yulia Block, and at the Birch Creek Performance Center. He is currently studying with Professor Mike Truesdell, and has been fortunate enough to take on and off lessons with legendary marimbist and composer Gordon Stout. Compared to most of his peers, Brayden has been playing percussion for a relatively short time, starting in 8th grade on drumset. Seeking to expand his horizons, Brayden sought out lessons with classical percussionists, hand drummers, and anyone who can help feed his voracious appetite for musical knowledge. This approach has paid off substantially, as he can fit into almost any role given to him. For example, Brayden has been fortunate enough to use all sorts of different percussion instruments on the gig. Shining examples include djembe, classical percussion, and drum set. Brayden is currently the baticonguero for the Ithaca-based Mesa Pa' Seis, an international Pan-Latin Fusion Group. He also is a voracious scholar, dedicating a large amount of time to studying ethnomusicology, with a heavy emphasis on the culture and history Cuba, among other Latin countries in the african diaspora. Despite the emphasis on Latin music, Brayden has also studied the music of Brazil and of the Middle East, and is learning how to play Cuica, Alfaia, Tar, Doumbek and Riqq. Furthermore, he has been fortunate enough to play in the Birch Creek Samba band, and the Birch Creek Maracatu band, under the direction of Dr. Tony DiSanza. In the future, Brayden intends to achieve a doctorate in percussion performance, and a certificate in ethnomusicology, alongside fluency in both Arabic and Spanish. While this is currently not the case, Brayden strives every single day to make these dreams happen.