Gregory Messa is a freelance percussionist with American Federation of Musicians, and has most recently appeared with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, the Eco Ensemble at UC Berkeley, The Santa Cruz Symphony, Monterey Symphony Orchestra, The Symphony of the Hills, and the San Antonio Opera and Ballet, in addition to playing batería with Xicano-fusion band Los Nahuatlatos. One of Music To Life’s prestigious Juried Artists, he has also been featured 4 times as one of Texas Public Radio’s Open Mic participants, and worked on two world-premiere musicals at Berkeley Repertory Theater in recent years.

Greg is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, San Jose State University, Cabrillo College, and was a recent Awardee of the 2024 Musician Changemaker Accelerator Grant for his work “Repercussions” related to social change. Mr. Messa has shared the stage with notable artists such as Gregory Porter, Keith Urban, Marin Alsop, Danny Elfman, and Andrea Bocelli.

Outside of his musical career, Gregory is a devoted husband and father of a young son, balancing his family life with his passion for music and social activism. Through his performances and collaborations, Greg continues to inspire students and bring attention to important cultural and social issues, while enriching the musical landscape with his dynamic percussion skills.

Percussion Teaching Artist