Interview • Jacqueline Cassell

Originally Posted: July 1, 2012.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started playing the drums!

“My name is Jacqueline Cassell and I play the drums on YouTube. I have received over 5.7 million views in the past 5 years and have gotten the opportunity to work with amazing companies and get a few endorsement deals along the way! I currently am playing at a few churches in the south Florida area (when I am home), but being a student at American University, I get to come out to McLean and play for their Frontline services! I started playing the drums around 14 years old, but it didn’t just come out of nowhere. My brothers and I would bang on trashcans, thinking we were the next edition of “Stomp,” but clearly that never happened! I decided I really wanted to play the drums and got a beginners drum set about a year later.”

Who are your favorite bands/artists right now?

“Right now I am listening to quite the variety of music. I always fluctuate between different artists and bands. At the moment I am (not ashamed of) listening to the new Justin Bieber album, The Word Alive, and Maroon 5.”

“I currently play SJC Custom Drums. I can’t see myself playing any other brand! They’re a great (once small) custom drum company based out of Dudley, Massachusetts! Great guys and great drums! They were the first company I started to play for and they presented me with opportunities that I never thought I’d have!”

What is the best part about being from Florida?

“The best part about living in Florida is definitely the lifestyle. I love Washington, D.C. but there is nothing better than wearing shorts, a tank top and flip-flops every single day!”

Any brand preference for sticks? 

“Yes! I am currently playing for Vater Percussion! I play Mike Johnston 2-4-5-1’s and Fusions.”

“Besides playing the drums, soccer is my passion. As much as I love playing the drums, my real dream is to eventually work for US Soccer and travel with the national team as a videographer. It would be unbelievable to be a part of event like the Olympics or the World Cup!”

What is your favorite social media platform?

“Twitter has worked miracles for me. A lot of people think that Twitter is just (for) telling people what you had for breakfast, but in reality it’s a fantastic networking tool and I’ve met so many great people!”

“For the summer, I am interning for the DC United women’s soccer team doing PR/Marketing and videography work. I’m really excited to get started!”