Guest Masterclass Series · 2026/27
Giovanni Hidalgo
An intimate live conversation with one of the greatest conga players who has ever lived. Hosted by Yshai Afterman.
An intimate live conversation with one of the greatest conga players who has ever lived. Hosted by Yshai Afterman.
Giovanni Hidalgo is widely regarded as one of the greatest conga players who has ever lived. A Grammy-winning percussionist and a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, he revolutionised hand-drumming with a speed, melodic touch, and independence that expanded what the congas could do — bringing the technical vocabulary of the drum kit and the melodic sensibility of a soloist to the Afro-Caribbean tradition.
He has performed with the giants — Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri — and was a central voice in Mickey Hart's Planet Drum alongside Zakir Hussain. Born in Puerto Rico into a family of musicians, he is a living bridge between the deep roots of Latin percussion and the global stage.
This is not an ordinary class. It is an intimate encounter — a small, close circle where you don't watch a master from afar, but sit beside one.
This is a live online masterclass, not a recording: an intimate conversation about Giovanni's life, his musical journey and his musical insights. And of course, he will play.
More about Giovanni Hidalgo: Instagram
Go deeper: the instruments · percussion classes · the full Guest Masterclass Series
The Giovanni Hidalgo masterclass takes place live on November 18, 2026 inside the Afterman Percussion Conservatory, with the recording kept in the portal. Members watch live, and the recording stays in the portal afterward. Pick the path that fits where you are now.
Study at your own pace. Full lesson recordings from any active group — Darbuka, Lapstyle, Riqq, or Upright. Start with a 4-pack or commit to a full course.
One-on-one with Yshai. Custom-paced, personally tailored, weekly or biweekly. Limited slots — arranged after a short conversation.
Inquire About Privates →The full Conservatory experience. Weekly Zoom group with Yshai, structured curriculum, live feedback, the masterclass series, and recordings of every lesson.