Morgan Santean-Whippie

Hometown

Cathedral City, California

Education

Riverside City College, Associates of the Arts, 2025

Instrument

Percussion

Biography

Morgan Santean-Whippie is currently a music major at Riverside City College, studying percussion under Jason Goodman and composition under Steven Schmidt. Morgan has been playing percussion since he was in middle school and has since been involved in every step of music that he could, from playing to teaching to composing. Morgan attended Cathedral City High, where he was taught by Mathew Howe, Sarah Culbertson, Isaac Leyva, And Adrian Tamez. While attending, Morgan was the Front Ensemble Captain of the Cathedral City Royal Regiment for the years 2021 and 2022, as well as, the principle percussionist for the Symphony Band. After graduating, Morgan attended Berklee College of Music's Summer Program for Film, TV, and Video Game Music where he was taught by Kevin Doucette and got exclusive seminars with the likes of Simon Franglen, Steve Schnur and Harry Gregson-Williams. Morgan also started working as a Percussion instructor for Chaparral High School and in the past year they went from A Class to Open Class in the SCPA Bracket with their Show Brother. Now while attending Riverside City College, Morgan is planning to continue is education in Composition and Percussion Performance, eventually aiming to get a Masters in Composition.

What inspired you to go into music?

I would say my biggest inspiration has been my teachers over the years. I have been really fortunate to have some of the best and most enthusiastic music teachers. Despite how I was in high school, messing around, not practicing, and not taking any of it seriously. My band director never stopped holding out hope that I would turn around and start realizing how important it was and I eventually did. Now im at a School I love, doing what I love, and I wouldn't be here without my HS band director, Matthew Howe or my HS percussion teacher, Adrian Tamez.

What is an interesting fact about you?

I own a 40 year old car! its a little 1984 Honda Civic, Its my dream car, and the car I plan to have for the rest of my life.

What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?

Outside of music, I enjoy reading manga, and watching movies.

What are you most excited for about this 2024-2025 season?

I can't wait to play the repertoire! As a Composer, I really enjoy being able to hear as much music from as many different genres as possible and being able to play them just gives me another level of understanding how the piece functions! I also am looking forward to really push myself past my limits during this next year.

Favorite Musical Quote:

“A good composer does not imitate; he steals.”

- Igor Stravinsky