Kassandra Kocoshis

 

Kassandra Kocoshis

 

Kassandra Kocoshis was raised in a musical family and has been playing percussion since she was eleven years old. She received her Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from DePaul University and her Masters of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts.

In 2004, Kassandra found flamenco. She studied with flamenco percussionist Francisco Orozco Fernandez "El Yiyi” and put in countless hours of studying and
playing to master this intricate art form. Kassandra has performed with many flamenco artists including Carmela Greco, Jose Cortes "Pansequito Hijo", Alfonso Cid, Paco Fonta, Antonio Gabarri Jiménez, dancers Cristian Lozano and Paloma Gomez, Diego Alonso, Chiara Mangiameli, Carlo Basile, Las Guitarras de España, Ensemble Español, and many others. In 2006 she was featured as one of six flamenco women in the Chicago Tribune’s article “Flamenco: A Way of life.”
 

During her time in Chicago, Kassandra performed with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, the Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Concertante di Chicago, Sacred Winds Ensemble, and with hip-hop artist, Kanye West. Kassandra also contributed as a guest artist on Las Guitarras de España’s albums, “Cuatro por Arriba” and “Tantas Cosas” and as the percussionist in Wendy Clinard’s production of “Jondo Portraits.” She is also a founding member of the flamenco trio “Idilio” with Diego Alonso and Chiara Mangiameli who released their self-titled debut album in 2009.

In 2010, Kassandra relocated to Los Angeles to earn her MFA in World Percussion at California Institute of the Arts under the tutelage of Randy Gloss. Since moving to LA she has performed with Carlos Vives, Vahagni, Mickey Hart, Shaherah White, Adam del Monte, Brazilian percussion master Guello, British percussionist Pete Lockett, Persian musician Hamed Nikpay, Persian percussion master Houman Pourmehdi, Uzbeki percussionist Abbos Kosimov, and guitarist Miroslav Tadic. In 2011, she was the percussionist for Theater Mitu’s “Chaos”; the first professional theater production to be conceived, produced and performed in the city of Abu Dhabi. She has also performed with indie rock group, Young the Giant and at the South by Southwest Music Festival with Las Guitarras de España. Currently she is freelancing in Los Angeles playing with pop, R&B, soul,  new music, rock and flamenco groups around the city. She is a current member of California soul band “Beat Mosaic" and the all female salsa band "Las Chikas"

As a recording artist, Kassandra has recording artists from an array of different genres including Meghan Trainor, Vahagni, Soul Scratch, Beat Mosaic, and many other artists. Kassandra has recently contributed as a musician to the Grammy nominated album "Love Language" by South African flutist, Wouter Kellerman.

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Kassandra can be seen in Postmodern Jukebox's video "The Prayer" featuring American Idol stars Pia Toscano and Stefano Langone.

 

Kassandra is an LP and Amplified Timber artist.