Simon Carroll, “Tappy” (director) is a drummer, percussionist, composer, vocalist, and teacher. He is equally comfortable in the world, orchestral, and pop music scenes of Los Angeles. He studied intensively throughout Brazil and Cuba and was an apprentice to the internationally-renowned Brazilian percussionist Carlinhos Pandeiro de Ouro. Simon has had a definitive role in the creation and artistic direction of MôForró, Samba Society, Os Zagueiros, and Delta Nove. He is the former music director of Viver Brasil Afro-Brazilian Dance Company, during which he helped to create the Viva Navidad street show at Disney’s California Adventure theme park. He is the timpanist for the Música Angélica Baroque Orchestra, playing kettledrums crafted in 1746. Simon received his BM at California State University, Northridge, studying Orchestral Percussion, Composition, and Jazz. He teaches music for Los Angeles Unified School District. He is a native of Fresno, in the California Central Valley.