Robert Lopez is a PhD student in ethnomusicology whose work is greatly informed by his background as a percussionist and educator. Since 2011, he has been an active member of the Bay Area new music community working with groups SO AR, the Red Room Orchestra, Grex and Jordan Glenn’s BEAK among others. Since 2014, he has maintained a close relationship with Brazilian master drummer Jorge Alabê. This partnership has led to presentations at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, awards from the Fulbright US Student Program and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. He currently teaches at the San Francisco Community Music Center. https://www.robertlopezmusic.net/