Danno Petersen is a Drummer, Humanitarian, and a Goodwill Ambassador for Afrika Tikkun

Danno Petersen, who is a South African native that resides in New York City, has been in the music industry since he was three years old. Danno has an extensive list of accomplishments. At age 14, he received the Auspicious Lifetime Achievement Award presented by President Barack Obama and performed at the Grammy Awards after-party in the Charlie Chaplin Studios in Hollywood, California; he was the youngest ever International Endorsed Artist at age 19 to conduct 100 Drums Clinics and Motivational Workshops. These are just a few of his accomplishments, and Danno is still making the headlines. 

What age were you when you got started playing the drums? 

“I was still in diapers around the age of 14 months old. I was playing around with the drums and was enamored with this massive toy. It was crazy and loud ever since that day I fell in love with the drums.”  

Was your father a musician as well? 

“Yes, my father was a musician. So I come from a whole family of musicians. When I was four years old, Yamaha endorsed me internationally as the youngest drummer. DW Drums endorsed me when I was 14, and I am still in partnership with them.” At the age of 6, I started the Daniel Petersen Foundation.” 

What is the Daniel Petersen Foundation about? 

“We go into communities to support and cultivate in a musical sense. This is because so many of our people are so creative they need an outlet. We often look at it from a holistic point of view, but for any person to be complete, they need both sides, the analytical, but you need your creative side as well.” As a result, we have allowed thousands of students of all ages to get brand new musical instruments and education in South Africa and the United States.”  

What are you currently working on? 

“Right now, focusing on my studies, I’m studying math and music in my undergrad, and then I’m going into my masters, but I want to go into a film screening. I would love to write the music behind the movie. That’s something that sticks inside my head. Every time I watch something, I can’t switch it off. It bugs me. I must do it. I also do a lot of motivational speaking around the world. I’m currently on 99 engagements.” 

It’s no doubt that Danno will continue to do more incredible things as a musician and humanitarian. You can see what he’s doing as a Goodwill Ambassador for Afrika Tikkun at www.afrikaTikkun.org. And you can also follow him on social media@DannoPetersen on Instagram and Facebook to see what he’s doing next.