Juan Pablo Faúndez (b. 1997) is a Chilean drummer, educator, bandleader, and composer, recognized for his versatility and deep musicality. Raised in a musical family in Linares, Chile, he began classical piano studies at age 6 and discovered his passion for drums by 10. By 15, he was performing professionally throughout Chile.
A full scholarship recipient from both Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation and Berklee College of Music, Juan Pablo earned his Bachelor of Music in Performance in 2023. Since then, he has toured and recorded with renowned artists including Arturo Sandoval, Jesús Molina, Marcin, Miguel Bosé, Noel Schajris, Jesús Adrián Romero, and Thuy, performing across the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Some of his credits include performances at Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Bansko Jazz Festival (Bulgaria), and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (India) with Jesús Molina & Los Dromers, as well as recording Marcin’s “Classical Dragon” for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. As a bandleader and composer, he is currently working on his debut solo album, set for release in 2025.
As an educator, Juan Pablo has taught and mentored students internationally, many of whom have gone on to receive full scholarships to Berklee.
He is proudly endorsed by Canopus Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth, FatFreq In-Ears, Kala Brand Music, and others, and has received honors including the Armand Zildjian and Neil Peart Scholarships.
