About Me
Dennis Boolyoins (Bulhões) holds the title of "XI Batuka! Master" after winning first place in Brazil's most prestigious international drum contest, Batuka! Brasil, 2010. Born and raised in Brazil's northeastern city of João Pessoa, Boolyoins started his formal music education at the age of seven, attending class at the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB). He continued his studies at the university in classical percussion with professor Francisco Xavier, obtaining his Bachelor of Music in 2009. Shortly after earning his Bachelor of Music, Dennis won the 2009 public contest of Technical Musician at the Federal University of Paraíba, where he held a tenure position as the universities professional performing percussionist/drummer and teacher for the music extension courses till 2019, when he took a sabbatical in order to move back to NY. Among other awards, Boolyoins took first place in the Odery and Modern Drummer Festival's regional contest, going on to place as a national semifinalist in 2008.
Boolyoins has performed with several artists in Brazil, Europe and Africa including Sivuca, Maria Creuza, Marinês, Lucy Alves, Oswaldinho do Acordeon, Letieres Leite, Anastácia, Toninho Ferragute, Antonio Barros e Cecéu, Proveta, Silvério Pontes, Paraiba Symphony Orchestra. From 2014 to 2016, Dennis Boolyoins moved to NY to pursue a Master in Jazz Studies at Queens College. Since his arrival, Bulhões (Boolyoins) has being involved with different artists and groups, playing and sharing the stage with names like: Helio Alves, Paul Socolow, Chico Pinheiro, Ari Hoenig, Yotam Silberstein, Rob Curto and Lívio de Almeida to name a few.
Currently, Boolyoins is working on publishing two books about Brazilian Drumming, besides working as a freelancer and drum teacher.