Onda

Onda can be background or we can headline. While we focus on instrumental music, Onda is fun danceable, singable and ultimately commercially sellable.

TROY VALENTE BIO:
Troy was born and raised in Northern California and lived in Northern Colorado from (phone number hidden)2. Even though his interest in the drums started at a very young age, his mom insisted on piano lessons prior to letting him play drums. This was something he was restless with at the time, but later came to appreciate. Troy’s musical career began with basic singing and acting through his school and church at the age of 4 as well as taking piano lessons throughout half of grade school. Music, especially music influenced by jazz, is constantly changing throughout the song. The drummer should change as well, whether it is through pocket development, fills, texture, etc. Having a melodic and musical theory background prior to moving to the drums has been instrumental in how Troy approaches the drumset and how he anticipates and adapts to the musical discourse of a song.

After gaining a general understanding of music in grade school, Troy started percussion in 7th grade and drumset in 8th grade. He was heavily involved with jazz in both junior high school and high school, both programs competing regionally. He also maintained his piano throughout high school, even dabbling in some pop composition. In high school Troy studied with John Mehler, who studied with Freddie Gruber (a close associate of Buddy Rich). Troy’s stent with John Mehler revolutionized both his technical and mental approach to the drumset. Troy won the Louis Armstrong National Jazz award for his local area as a senior in high school. He then went on to play and study jazz and pit orchestra at Pepperdine University on a small music scholarship where he met his wife (Barb), also on scholarship. They toured nationally together with a blues/funk band out of Los Angeles prior to coming to Colorado.

Troy continues to push his level of playing. He is an incessant student of the drumset and is a stickler on technique. Troy studied for a year in 2009 with local Colorado legend Gary Lefrancois, owner of Denver’s Metro Drum School and another student of Freddie Gruber’s, to further develop his Moeller technique that John Mehler had introduced him to years earlier. Troy’s life is music, and he is very insistent on pushing the musicians he plays with to new levels of musicianship and encourages them to “be in the moment”. Troy believes that bringing yesterday’s baggage into today’s moment can ruin it without proper balance and perspective. Let the music be fresh every time you play and fully commit your body, mind and soul to your art.

Troy's past gigging/recording projects include M Squared, The Austin Wahlert Band, The Jeff Brinkman Band, Kidron's Crossing, and Chris Liepe with Backhead Studios.

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BARB VALENTE BIO:
Barb Valente grew up surrounded by music, as she is the youngest of 4 siblings who all sang and played instruments. She began violin lessons at age 4, piano at age 7 and has dabbled with other instruments throughout the years, including clarinet, guitar, cello, viola, bass and mandolin. Barb competed in violin**, piano and vocal performance throughout high school, winning both state and national awards. She received a music scholarship to Pepperdine University in 1996, where she performed with the Tony award-winning Pepperdine University Orchestra as principal 2nd violinist for symphony concerts as well as pit orchestra for the renowned theater and dance department productions. Barb was one of the prinicipal keyboard players for the Pepperdine Pep Band, playing for multiple sporting events. She also acted as an accompanist for voice lessons and sang in the Pepperdine Chamber Choir. In addition to It was during this time that she met her husband, Troy. Her senior year, she joined a blues/funk band and embarked on a national tour with the band, contributing on violin, piano, and backup vocals. After completion of this tour, Barb began teaching and performing both locally and regionally.

Over the past two decades, Barb has played in many different musical groups, becoming accomplished in a myriad of musical styles. From country and folk to classical and jazz improvisation, Barb's perfect pitch has allowed her to adapt to any group. Her philosophy is that music is a conversation between the members. For Barb, listening to whatever current configuration of instruments and "communicating" accordingly is key to being a successful musician regardless of the setting. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to compose original songs and arrangments for personal endeavors, students, competitions, for the band M Squared, and now for Kairos MusiK.

Barb's current and past projects include M Squared, The Austin Wahlert Band, Triple Nickel Band, The Jeff Brinkman Band, Kidron's Crossing, Chris Liepe with Backhead Studios, Greeley Chamber Orchestra (2nd Chair first violin) and Pepperdine University Orchestra (Principal 2nd Violinist).

When Barb is not busy with her music, she loves the outdoors, especially being at the beach. She also enjoys hiking, camping, gardening, and spending time with family.

​**Custom 5-String Violin designed/built by:
Jack Brainerd @ Veritable Violins, Boulder, CO.

Power is the biggest tech requirement. We will bring our sound system, as well as backline, so we can get a quality, balanced sound at lower volume levels. Also, this allows us to play house music during breaks to keep the vibes going and provide for any needed mc'ing.