Chico Fernandez

Chico Fernandez was born in Toronto and began playing drums at the age of three. He studied piano at eight and later reconnected with the drums, playing in local bands both on stage and in recording studios. He eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he opened a music teaching studio that evolved into Santa Monica Music Center. As the studio expanded into a music store, Chico became the first Gibson dealer in west Santa Monica. With the help of his brother and daughter, he expanded to a second location, Culver City Music Center, which also boasts a strong music lesson program. Chico passed away in May 2024 at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of music education and community service.