Dave DiCenso is a drummer, educator, author, and professor whose career spans multiple musical worlds, from rock, pop, fusion, and jazz to soul, R&B, and hardcore. Raised in the Boston area, he studied both privately and at leading institutions before becoming a versatile session player and performer known for musical depth and adaptability.
DiCenso currently divides his time between teaching, performing, composing, and writing new material. He is a Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music, where he mentors students across jazz, rock, pop, and contemporary styles and teaches courses in fusion repertoire, percussion performance, and recital preparation. His role at Berklee continues to be a central part of his professional life.
As a clinician and masterclass presenter, DiCenso remains active on the education circuit, offering intimate workshops and master classes — including events such as a three-hour master class held in October 2025 — where he explores rhythmic concepts, phrasing, and musical ideas with students of all levels.
He continues to perform and collaborate in the recording and live music world. DiCenso currently plays with multi-platinum singer Josh Groban in live and studio contexts and co-leads the DiCenso Clark Expedition, a soul-funk organ duo that blends groove, melody, and improvisation.
In addition to these engagements, DiCenso is working on a third educational publication following his acclaimed books Rhythm and Drumming Demystified and Universal Rhythms for Drumset, and he has collaborated on new music with Boston-based frontman Peter Prince.
Gear:
Sonor drums, Sabian cymbals, Vater drumsticks, and Remo drumheads.
Sources: Dave DiCenso official website, Berklee College of Music faculty profile, Remo artist page, Drum Center NH master class announcement, Drummerszone artist profile.
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Update 1/19/26