About Can-Do Musos
On the 15h March 2013, 3 challenged musicians got together for a meeting of the minds at Dom Famularo's Wizdom Drumshed at Port Jefferson, New York. During this meeting it was discussed how frustrating it was to be a musician with a disability trying to get accepted as a musician and receive a fair go.
That meeting was attended by Andrew Hewitt from Sydney, Australia, David Segal from Conneticutt, Mike Mignogna from Tennesee together with Drumming's Global Ambassador, Dom Famularo. At the meeting it was decided something needed to be done to change the way people perceive a musician with any kind of disability.
That was when Can-Do Musos was born.
In March 2018, Can-Do Musos became Can-Do Musos Inc, a 501c3 registered non-profit charity.
Can-Do Musos supports over 350 musicians from 36 countries across the globe.
L-R: David Segal, Andrew Hewitt, Dom Famularo, Mike Mignogna
at Dom's Wizdom Drumshed, Port Jefferson, New York - 15th March 2013
Mission Statement
Can Do Musos want to provide guidance and hope to all musicians with challenges. Music is empowering and has no limitations and everyone should have a chance at their dreams.
Having a "Can Do attitude" is the first step toward success!
Board of Directors
Sadly, Dom passed away on September 27, 2023 from a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He will be missed.
Dom Famularo - known as "Drumming's Global Ambassador" has been traveling the globe preaching the gospel of drumming for over 30 years. An intense performer, Dom is one of the most respected solo drum artists in the world, with a career built solely upon his unique skills as a drummer, educator, author and motivational speaker.
For Dom's full bio, please visit www.domfamularo.com.
Andrew Hewitt - has earned the title of "Australia's most inspirational drummer" from his drumming peers both locally and overseas through the tireless work he has done to prove that anything is possible.
For those who are unaware of Andrew, he was born with Cerebral Palsy which affects movement in his arms and legs, and he uses a wheelchair to get around. However this hasn't stopped Andrew from having a successful career as a drummer spanning more than 20 years.
For Andrew's full bio, please visit www.drummerstix.com.au.
David Segal - started drumming in 1983, trying to play the opening beat for U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday.
One of the things that David had to figure out was how to hold the drumstick with his left hand. He was born with a disability that made his hands clubbed. His right hand had normal strength, but his left hand had virtually none and he couldn't make a fist.
For David's full bio, please visit www.davidsegaldrums.com.
Mike Mignogna - born with Cerebral Palsy, Mike has played drums since he was 11 years old. Utilising a floor tom for a bass drum, Mike has honed his skills, and written a book to assist other drummers with challenges, entitled "Look Ma No Feet".
"Look Ma No Feet" is a practical approach to the drum set for someone with limited or no use of their legs.
For Mike's full bio, please visit www.mikemignogna.com.
Associate Board Members
Joe Hardy - has been playing the drums for over 30 Years. His experience and past bands have included everything from Heavy Metal to Country Rock. And even a little bit of Jazz. His drumming style has been described as hard hitting and powerful.
What makes Joe stand out from most drummers is the fact that despite being born with a no legs he has managed to still becomes a successful professional musician.
For Joe's bio, please visit www.candomusos.com.
Danielle Geissler - Danielle is a hobby drummer who combines her passion for all things drums and music with her background in supporting individuals with learning and developmental disabilities. She travels the world as a management consultant and speaker and loves to meet new people and learn their stories.
International Advisory Board
Pino Bertolini - Australia - Pino has been playing drums for the last 35 years and has been taught by some of the best drummers in the world. His main teacher was Frank Corniola for 8 years, but has had lessons from Dom Famularo, Dave Weckl, Virgil Donati, just to name a few. Pino has been a sort out Session Drummer in Melbourne and has also travelled the world with many great artists and shows. Pino is also teaching in 3 private schools and his own school Sound Studio 42 and educating our younger future drummers.
Pino is currently running his own Drumming talk back radio show called DrumTalk Radio, where he broadcasts live on a Monday night with hundreds of loyal listeners listening in. Pino has interviewed many great drummers live and chats about all our local and interstate drummers so our future drummers have a voice to be heard. Pino is very often quoted "this is a radio show where you can shine".
Pino is a great supporter of Can-Do Musos, with helping us spread the word, assisting with fundraisers and broadcasting the Can-Do Radio show every Wednesday night.
Gregg Bissonette - United States - Gregg has become known as one of the most versatile drummers in the business, his broad experience ranging from big band, blues, and rock, to Latin, fusion, and much more. Gregg's warm, easy-going down-to-earth manner is refreshing from one of the top drummers in the world.
Known for performing and recording with David Lee Roth, Carlos Santana, and Ringo Starr, Greg not only is a remarkable drummer, but also is very passionate about helping other artists thrive.
For more information, please visit greggbissonette.com.
Claudia Chambers - Australia - Starting off with a strong interest in Flamenco dance, Claudia moved to Spain where she lived for five years studying dance and percussion. She then moved to Ireland to work with Rodrigo Gabriela and Luka Bloom as percussionist.
Since moving back to Australia in 2005, Claudia has collaborated with many groups and artists. Claudia also writes regular Cajon articles for Australian percussion magazine "PercusScene", recently performed at the 2013 Australia's Ultimate Drummers Weekend alongside Dom Famularo and Gregg Bissonette, and facilitates workshops for Sydney based Percussion ensemble The Sylvanbeats which feature percussionists with mild to moderate disabilities.
For more information, please visit www.learncajon.com.
Phil Heuzenroeder - Australia - Phil works as a community artist and community cultural development leader. He works extensively across Melbourne and Victoria with people with a disability, people living with mental illness and in community singing.
Phil is the founding Artistic and Executive Director of Wild@heART Community Arts, a position he has held since 2002. Wild@heART is one of Australia's leading community arts organization creating accessible and inclusive community arts making with people with disabilities and mental illness. He has also worked extensively as a musician and led rock band Bipolar Bears, video artist, event manager and facilitator over the past 15 years. Phil has led many workshops in singing, song writing and music, film and music video clip making, event management and technical production.
For more information, please visit www.wildatheart.org.au.
Jennifer Liu - China - Jennifer is an educator who has been working in higher education for more than 14 years, pays special attention to the disadvantaged group in China and has been getting involved in helping them for many years. Jennifer believes that the world will become more beautiful if everyone offers a helping hand to those who are in needs.
Pete Lockett - England - Award winning musician Pete Lockett is one of the most versatile and prolific percussionists in the World. His percussive skills cover percussion from every corner of the globe and he has worked with Bjork, Peter Gabriel, Robert Plant, Dido, Steve Gadd, Bill Bruford, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Jeff Beck, The Verve, Texas, Primal Scream, Damien Rice, Jarvis Cocker, Craig Armstrong, and many more! Pete arranged and recorded all the ethnic percussion for five 007 ‘Bond' films and many other Hollywood blockbusters. He has released fifteen CD's under his own name. He also released a best selling percussion app for iDevices. DrumJam was released in 2012.
Pete endorses Remo drum heads and percussion, Sabian cymbals, Mapex drum sets and Vic Firth sticks.
Pete is guest professor of percussion at Shanghai conservatory of music.
For more information, please visit www.petelockett.com.
Aldo Mazza - Canada - Aldo is an internationally recognized drummer, percussionist and recording artist. He is also a clinician and educator, and the founder of KoSA Music.
Aldo has performed on over 100 CDs and soundtracks, and recorded with such well-known artists as Celine Dion, Jon Bon Jovi and Aldo Nova. He has performed live with artists such as James Brown, Chris De Burgh, Frank Sinatra, Nikki Yanofsky and Oliver Jones.
For more information on Aldo, please visit www.aldomazza.com or www.kosamusic.com.
Doug Meola - Canada - Doug is an independent drummer, educator, and clinician. With a strong focus on drum education, Doug has a large roster of drum students that he works with regularly at his DrumSpot Drum Studio, he also conducts master classes and educational programs for schools and retail music stores, etc.
As an educator and clinician, Doug is very passionate about helping drummers be their best in all areas of their drumming. Doug conducts clinics and educational events in partnership with Tune-bot, Vic Firth, Aquarain Drumheads, Q Drum Co Drums, ProLogix Percussion, Drumtacs and Pads and also leads Kickport International's Sound Specialist Drum Education Program.
Doug has also contributed to Modern Drummer magazine as an educator and product reviewer and is also a contributing member of the Vic Firth Education Team. Doug is excited about a new drum education program that he is designed specifically for other-abled drummers and potential drummers that have unique mental and/or physical challenges.
In addition to his educational endeavours, Doug is a busy, in demand recording and touring drummer working with several artists and bands. Some of the artists and acts that Doug works with and has toured with/supported include: The Secret Destroyers, Dead City Dolls, Saints and Lovers, Guitar virtuoso Greg Howe, Sexus, V, Skin, When Worlds Collide, Joan Jett, Dee Snyder, Widowmaker, Joe Perry, Marilyn Manson, Buckcherry, Gavin Degraw, John Legend and Maroon Five.
For more information on Doug, please visit dougmeola.com.
Mark Schulman - United States - Mark's resume reads like a "Who's Who" of international Rock n' Roll royalty including acts such as FOREIGNER, SHERYL CROW, STEVIE NICKS, DESTINY'S CHILD, BILLY IDOL, CHER (Mark was drummer on the 'Believe' and 'Farewell' tours, two of the most-attended tours in music history) UDO LINDENBERG and EIKICHI YAZAWA. He has drummed with VELVET REVOLVER at Ozzfest and for crowds of 200,000 at Glastonbury Festival with SIMPLE MINDS. Mark is the recipient of numerous Gold and Platinum discs and has appeared on nearly every American and European variety show on television including The Grammys, David Letterman, The Tonight Show, Conan O'Brian, Jon Stewart, American Idol, Paul O' Grady, X-Factor, Wetten Das and more.
He is best known for being the touring drummer for PINK.
To read more information about Mark, please visit markschulman.com.
Karl Sloman - Canada - Karl is the conductor of the Canadian Super Disabled Group Trainwreck. He is a published author, inventor, music producer and has worked with those with disabilities since 2005. Karl invented a system for students confined to wheelchairs to play drum parts using the triggers in their headrests. Karl was the focus of episode 1 of the documentary series Walk-the-Walk released in 2012. Karl continues actively work and promote music for those with disabilities and is in the studio working with Trainwreck to create an 11 track CD of all original music. Karl was one of the early members of the Board of Directors and is very proud to be an active member.
Testimonials
"Can-Do musos is an exemplary organisation where people disadvantaged by a disability can showcase their ABILITY and express themselves through their chosen musical form, thus providing them with a platform from which they can make meaningful contributions to society."
Jeff St. John - Perth, Australia
"Can-Do Musos has been of great benefit to me in my ongoing challenge of an acquired brain injury. It has helped me to focus on writing songs and performing them because I am unable to focus on reading books or watching movies. The activity has helped me to maintain positive mental health. I enjoy performing my songs and playing music with other Can-Do Musos. It is very comforting to know that there are other people with disability who have found new skills and overcome their challenges. I have seen the positive benefits in networking with and socialising with other Can-Do Musos. This organization is unique and run by a dedicated group of musicians who understand the needs of people with disability".
Dave Rowlands - Sydney, Australia
"Can-Do Musos has made myself and my music so much more visible to others. They allowed me to post about not only my disabilities, but how I accomplish writing, performing and recording my music which is a great accomplishment. I had a library find out about my music and as a result, they asked me to play at their library for their patrons in a series of performances of 'Musician's with Disabilities Who Have Overcome Them' and I got paid very well. Their website has brought many other people to my Music Website and I have made any new contacts with other musicians in my area. On top of that, one of the founder's, Andrew Hewitt, has helped me delve into a new field (drums) with tips and assistance when I asked for it. He is very accomplished on the drums and it shows through his advice and the videos I have seen of his performances. If there was only one organization that I could belong to, it would be Can-Do Musos. They are geared for the Musician that has everything against him (or her) and gives his (or her) all into their music. They also are there for those that are struggling and need a little help... a little push... to progress in the field of music."
Gregory W Irish - New Jersey, USA
"Can Do Musos has helped me get gigs by sharing my fortnightly drum covers which I post on YouTube and I was featured in the newsletter for my drumming. It is wonderful to be part of a great team who are an amazing support network for musicians. Through their website it helps many musicians by giving them exposure. Thank you so much Can Do Musos."
Matt Mallardi - Townsville, Australia
"Can-Do Musos is an organisation whose work I truly believe in! As I am a blind musician, Can-Do Musos has allowed me to connect with other musicians with disabilities! by networking with other musicians with disabilities, I have gained invaluable knowledge and taken onboard plenty of excellent advice from hearing about their experiences whilst embarking on their music journey. Can-Do Musos via their weekly radio show has allowed me to share my original music to the world as well as exposing me to music from other musicians with disabilities! I think this is really an important resorce and showcases the wealth of talent out there provided by musicians with disabilities."
David Truong - Brisbane, Australia
"CAN DO MUSOS is a terrific website that shows what musicians with all types of disabilities can achieve with their musical prowess. Being a part of this group makes me feel quite proud of the fact that we all are following our dreams and passions, not letting anything get in our way!"
Greg Dodd - Melbourne, Australia
"Being a part of the Can-Do-Musos' community has helped with my self-confidence, built international connections, and opened my eyes for possibilities. My name is Emily Buresh and I am a singer/songwriter living in Worcester, MA USA. I am visually impaired due to optic nerve gliomas that have affected not only my vision but my internal temperature regulation. Despite my condition, I am a professional singer/songwriter and a performing/visual artist. Being a part of an international group of extremely talented people who face similar challenges is a blessing. We support each other and to hear my voice on the radio is a dream come true."
Emily Buresh - Massachusetts, USA