Arturo Balanza

Arturo’s Schedule

About Arturo

In his early beginnings as a drummer enthusiast child, Arturo began to show interest in music and rhythm through private lessons for about seven years. He got involved in Santiago’s school and high school music scene. Learning and applying different techniques, genres and styles like jazz fusion, rock, metal, latin jazz, bossa nova, among others. 

He also participated in many bands and started to be requested as a session musician, as well as entering the label FrameBeat, with producer Andres Carreño. He’s passionate about music in all aspects and lives applying rhythm wherever he can, therefore it didn’t take long for him to start composing and doing arrangements, as well as teaching lessons with his vision on paradiddles and linear grooves.

At the same time, he developed an interest in communications and visual entertainment. Arturo studied radio/tv host and voice acting. He started his own online radio station and participated in local music radios giving space to growing artists to show their music. Also, he did voices for independent video games.

Percussion began after he met the folklorist Delia Valdebenito. She invited him to play, compose and arrange percussion in her project. With Andrés Carreño they began to travel with this project along Chile, Argentina, Peru, and with arts government fund that they got, they recorded an EP in Mexico called Cantos del Alma, at Studio 01.

After moving to Banff, Canada, Arturo won a prize at the Tommy’s battle of Bands 2023 and he is ready to get back to a big city and begin a new music journey.

In Calgary he met singer and songwriter Justin James, and bass player and producer Nathan Febel, together recorded a live album called Meet me at The Rocks, at Chill KIll Studios, performing in different local stages as well. All drums written and performed by Arturo.

At the same time, he got recruited for a storytelling project called The Strategy of War, with master storyteller Mera Reyes and directed by Javier Vilalta, under Downstage productions, to play percussion. Together they opened the 2024 theatre season at the Arts Commons with a whole sold out run of shows and were very well received by the critics. The Strategy of War also got six nominations at the 2025 Betty’s Awards, including Arturo Balanza’s nomination for Outstanding sound design and/or Composition.

Now in Vancouver, he’s playing in a pop-rock-alternative band called No Contract. Ready for the next chapter in his career.