MemberS
Bella “Magic Fingers” Pignataro ‘25
Outreach Chair, Director Emerita
Bella is a senior in Currier House studying electrical engineering. When they’re not obliterating their sleep schedule at THUD rehearsals, you can find them thinking about Halloween, smiling at dogs, or walking abnormally fast for no reason (I think we all know the reason).
Jerry “notomjustjerry” Li ‘26
Boom Co-Chair
Jerry is a Hans Zimmer wannabe and wants to read your mind.
Cy Schwalbe ‘27
Treasurer
Cy is a sophomore from New York City. He plays the piano (but doesn't practice enough) and is classically trained in dance. He wants to become fluent in Arabic at Harvard.
Katie Benkelman ‘28
Katie is a first-year from Montana studying something environmental. She has been tap dancing for 15 years and hopes that this somehow translates to drumming. In her free time she enjoys hyper fixating on songs until they're unpalatable, procrastinating, and collecting rocks and acorns and pop tabs for no reason.
Ryan "Why Did You Write This in 5/4 Ryan” Xia ‘25
Boom Co-Chair
Ryan is a senior from the distant land of Brookline, Massachusetts. He adores history, trivia, reading classic novels, and eating so slowly that the next meal has already began. Ryan plays the piano but has probably not practiced for over a month. Please remind him to do so soon.
Anie “Amino” Udosen ‘26
Vision Queen
Anie’s drumming journey has been a fusion of her Ohioan upbringing and her devout love for West African cultural music troupes. You can likely find her psetting, air drumming, bantering with friends, or accidentally walking past you with her headphones on.
Sam Wu ‘27
Sam is a sophomore from beautiful gorgeous Rockville, MD. She lives in Winthrop House, and is studying Applied Math & Economics with a secondary in History of Art & Architecture. In her free time, you can find her walking around aquariums, walking around Trader Joes, or walking around parks!
Nate “From Downtown” Brown ‘28
Nate is a first year in Grays Hall interested in concentrating in Chemistry or Mechanical Engineering. Hailing from the great town of Milton, MA, Nate has a background in orchestral percussion, marching quads, and drum kit. When he's not attempting to turn every surface he comes across into a drum, you can find him listening to metal music, reading, working out, or traveling to new places (mainly for food).
Axel Soderquist '28
Axel is a freshman from Southborough, Massachusetts planning to study computer science and pure math. In his spare time, he can be found practicing the piano or listening to electronic music too fast to be played by any human drummer.
Isabel “Dumbo” Kim ‘25
Isabel is a senior studying computer science and biology! She is eternally grateful to THUD for fulfilling her elementary school dream of being a drummer, even with her lack of percussion experience (her other dream job back then was a farmer). She spends her non-pseting hours eating lots of food and being silly with the Noteables.
Silas “Buu-C” Camp ‘26
Logistics Co-Chair
Silas is a junior concentrating in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a secondary in Astrophysics. The only reason he joined percussion long ago was because he kinda liked hitting things (with sticks, notably). Now, he REALLY likes it. He apologizes to the masses for uploading his literal school ID photo.
Jasmine Andresol ‘27
Jasmine is a sophomore from Virginia (DMV area), who has past experience in marching and orchestral percussion. She is intending to concentrate in computational neuroscience. In her free time, she enjoys making digital art, oil painting and fiddling with Blender3D. Also a former Starbucks barista, ask her anything about coffee.
Michael “Big Mike” Chung ‘28
Michael is a freshman from NYC currently living in Grays Hall. Even before joining THUD, he had always had a deep passion for creating and listening to music, whether it be producing on his laptop, banging on the drumset, or checking out some vinyl. Besides music, he likes to say he’s studying philosophy (but really has no idea inside). On campus, you can likely find him vibing out with his Bose headphones on, in a practice room, or, more realistically, in Widener studying.
Callie Loeffel ‘28
Callie is a first-year from Scituate, Massachusetts! She is planning on concentrating in Economics and Psychology. In her free time, she likes long walks on the beach, contemplating, and watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off. She hopes you enjoy her picture day photo from senior year.
Chris “I’m Johnny Christmas” Ruiz ‘26
Show Chair
Chris is a junior in Adams House studying Government! Chris is super excited to represent Morristown, New Jersey in THUD. His main instrument is trumpet, he likes to cook and he loves, loves, LOVES peach iced tea.
Michael “Mikey B” Bido ‘27
Logistics Co-Chair
Michael Bido is a second year from Lawrence, Kansas (Rock Chalk) and plans to concentrate in Environmental Science and Public Policy. In his spare time he enjoys buying sweaters on depop, going on hot girl walks, or making a new and weirdly specific spotify playlist. Let him know if you can help him with the STAT 100 psets!
Ava Della Pietra ‘27
Ava Della Pietra is a sophomore concentrating in Integrative Biology with a secondary in Music. When she's not pseting, you'll likely spot her wandering around Berklee College of Music, composing new songs at 2am (monumentally increasing her popularity with her sleeping neighbors), or grabbing her favorite Boba from Gong Cha, where the staff embarrassingly know both her name and usual order by heart.
Hyunsoo Lee ‘28
Hyunsoo is a freshmen from Seoul, South Korea, so if you ever want some Korean ramen, you know who to call. He is planning on concentrating in gov, econ, or something entirely new. In his free time, Hyunsoo loves listening to Coldplay, Billy Joel, and Korean songs. He is currently trying to beat the Guinness world record for the most number of songs in one playlist. Hyunsoo's here in THUD because he absolutely loves music.
Alumni
Adam “Damski” Wrobel ‘19
Director Emeritus
A month after finishing his cheese sandwich (pictured), Adam received the shocking news that he was lactose intolerant. Mourning the loss of pizza and ice cream, Adam turned to unconventional percussion to fill the void in his heart. He found through years of playing Sick Beats (TM) on buckets, boomwhackers, and more that the “cheese of humor tastes better than the cheese of cow.”
Danielle Lehle ‘07
Director Emerita
Danielle’s time at Harvard can be summed up with the three E's: Eliot House, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and (musical) Ensembles. When she wasn't taking geology classes up at Hoffman or catching a few Zzzzzs in Eliot, she was playing percussion in THUD, Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, Harvard Pops Orchestra, and 93r (plus subbing for BachSoc, Gilbert & Sullivan Players, and miscellaneous other ensembles).
Kacper “4K Magic” Kubień ‘21
Hailing from Krakow, Poland, Kacper is one quaint addition to the THUD collective. Having played the drum set for 7 years now, his biggest passions include 280 bpm bomb blasts, 32nd note double bass ostinatos, and syncopated 13/16 inverted paradiddle fills. Apart from that, he occasionally enjoys an all-day cycling trip or a pint of fine baltic porter.
Ayano “Aya” Mukai ‘22
Assistant Director Emerita
Aya is a senior and writing a senior thesis! She is from Tokyo, Japan. She loves Japan, Japanese people, and Japanese food! She also loves hiking, skiing, and any outdoor activities! Over the COVID year, she also learned to enjoy fishing, making insect collections, and cooking!
Justin “Zuck” O’Dwyer ’24
Justin is a junior originally from Westwood, Massachusetts. In his free time, he enjoys lacrosse and basketball, going skiing, playing drums, and classical piano. His interests include applied math, economics, and computer science. Justin’s spirit kitchen appliance is a fridge because he likes filling himself with food. His spirit animal is an owl or a dolphin.
Logan “Quad Heavy Quad Far” Qualls ‘23
Director Emeritus
Logan is a senior at Harvard, living in Currier House. He hails from the Midwest, and other than drumming on everything the eye can see, loves dinosaurs and baseball. He is also fond of the color orange, and books.
Sebastian “Linnamon Roll” Garcia ‘24
Assistant Director Emeritus
Sebastian is a senior in Pfoho from San Antonio, Texas. He plays cello, harp, and piano, (he even plays guitar and accordion with Mariachi Veritas, Harvard’s own Mariachi Group!) but feels just at home with a boomwhacker in his hands. Outside of THUD rehearsals at midnight, you’ll find him cramming for pre-med classes, at a Red Sox game, or finding things to climb in the woods.
Nicole “Jane” Austen ‘25
Nicole is a senior living in Eliot House, originally from Los Angeles. She enjoys playing piano and writing fantasy books in her spare time. Her first novel just got published and she demands that you buy it. She is on a quest to pet every cat and eat every gluten-free pastry in the city of Cambridge.
Cole Durbin ‘18
Director Emeritus
Mechanical Engineer, Varsity coxswain for the Men’s Heavyweight Rowing team.
Dylan “Dylbo Baggins” Ryals ‘20
Dylan is experienced in mallet percussion, music composition, and mushroom identification. When he isn’t playing music, he is usually lost in the woods or tending to his bees. When Dylan grows up, he plans to adopt a cat and maybe start a small garden. Ask about his wasp collection!
Aaron “Boom” Hodges ‘21
Aaron Hodges, trying to kindle the fire in your heart for percussive prowess and para-diddle his way to "the perfect piece." He is a piano composer and BME concentrator who has the privilege of being part of a group where he can hold on to music. And of course, make a show piece out of trashcans and sword fighting if the week calls for it.
Kathy “K-Dawg” Xiang ‘21
Director Emerita
Kathy is a senior living in Winthrop studying applied math and sociology! She is a Basquiat enthusiast, avid nature-lover, and papercut survivor. Won the shoe kicking contest in preschool. Didn’t go to Felipe’s a single time freshman year. (It was just so she could write it in her bio.)
Fabio Pruneri ‘22
Fabio is a senior in Winthrop House studying Computer Science. Originally from Milan, joined THUD as an excuse to avoid practicing piano. On many nights you'll find him at the poker table. With very few chips in front of him. Silently complains about noch's pizza (ew) and other poor renditions of Italian food.
Will “Will” Sorenson ’23
Will loves to play volleyball, juggle, and make music! He primarily identifies as an amateur procrastinator and is also recognized as a professional word creator. Some say no such thing exists and show scrutiny to Will's innovative vocabulary which really deflabergates him.
Ian “Kimbell Farms” Kimbell ’23
Script Master Emeritus
With dual citizenship in Indiana and Kentucky, Ian Kimbell has something in common with everyone. He studies physics and performs stand up comedy, earning the title of intellectual entertainer.
Misha “Mish” Fischer ’24
Misha is a senior from Hong Kong, currently interested in computer science. She has a background in orchestral percussion, and especially loves the marimba. When she’s not in the percussion room, she can be found reading sci fi, thinking about sourdough bread (mmm, ask her about that open crumb structure), and talking about gender parity in STEM fields.
Elizabeth Bennett ‘26
Elizabeth is a junior in Dunster House from Northumberland, England. She is a Music concentrator, and although she’s classically trained in violin and guitar, she loves all forms of music, from Bach to Bjork! In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, drinking tea, and learning obscure folk tunes on her mandolin.
Caitlin Andrews ‘16
Director Emerita
Organismic and Evolutionary Biology concentrator with a secondary in Mind/Brain/Behavior.
Dody “Dodes” Eid ‘20
Director Emeritus
Dody is a senior studying Economics originally from Nashua, NH. His dream is to become an Italian-American, even though he knows it is impossible. Family is very important to him; he has a younger brother (Georgy) and three close cousins (Antony, Adi, and Mia). He loves: Chipotle, Whole Milk, Guitar.
Emery “Em” Liu ‘20
Math major, CS secondary. Appreciates good food, good friends, and good vibes. Into weightlifting, drums, Pokemon, and Old School Runescape. Spends his time organizing a math tournament for high schoolers and regrettably clicking pointless "recommended videos" on YouTube. Always striving to lift more, eat more, sleep more.
Yasmin “Yas Qween” Luthra ‘22
Director Emerita
Yasmin is a cellist who got her first taste of percussion when she got to swing the Mahler hammer (see above) after performing his 6th Symphony. She never looked back. When she's not THUDing, you can find her making milkshakes at the best grill on campus or performing with the Harvard College Opera.
Ayah “Ohm” Al-Zubi ‘23
Ayah is a senior in Lev studying sociology but still acts like a seven year old. Outside of making free time from her free time, she strategizes how to deflect the “where are you from question?” because, well… she’s from North Dakota. Speaking of North Dakota, Ayah is actually from Ohio.
Nina Chung ‘23
Nina is a senior in Currier House, and she's just happy to be here. She believes her marching band turned hip-hop dance training garnered her enough rhythm to join THUD. She also has an adoration for unconventional time signatures and going into double time. She can often be found playing trumpet, planning Currier-related events, and doing too much.
Gracie “Hamm-ahk” Simonson ‘25
Social Chair; Assistant Director Emerita
Gracie is a long-time percussionist, and mediocre jazz pianist. She is a current sophomore in Dunster House. Coming from Northern Minnesota, you can spot her around campus saying the word “egg” incorrectly, talking poorly about the state of Wisconsin, or making her entire dorm building smell like banana bread from the communal kitchen in the basement. Yes she will make you some.
Tomi Siyanbade ‘24
Tomi is a senior from "Atlanta" (aka the burbs). Studying Chemical and Physical Biology (which she most DEFINITELY did not choose because it sounded hardcore), she spends her free time psetting, using her oversized headphones to avoid human contact, butchering Joplin on the piano, butchering Bach on the cello, or butchering Jimi Hendrix on the bass.
Latonya T. Wright ‘00
Co-Founder
A.B. in English and American Literature and Language, Harvard University Band (cymbals), Harvard Wind Ensemble (percussion section leader), Memorial Church member, Admissions Office worker.
John “Nananana Batman!” Na ‘20
John is a senior in Kirkland concentrating in CS. When he's not dying from his endless stream of psets, you can find him scouring for food at 5 a.m. If you see him on campus, make sure to go up and say hi!
Ben “BenjiGogo” Palmer ‘20
Ben is a senior in Adams House studying Economics with a secondary in Spanish language. He is originally from a suburb of Chicago, IL. In addition to the crazy, found percussion instruments used in THUD, he plays the steel pan drum, a drum originating from Trinidad and Tobago, drum set, and mallets. Before that he also played piano. In his free time, he enjoys watching the TV shows White Collar and Sherlock, as well as watching sports, and finding new places to eat in Cambridge and Boston.
Sam “Samwise” Markowitz ‘22
Assistant Director Emeritus
Sam is a computer science and music concentrator in Eliot house. In THUD you’ll probably find him composing or playing random stuff on the marimba. Outside THUD, you’ll probably find him playing some video games.
![Kade “[Redacted]” Kelsch ‘24Assistant Director EmeritaKade is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys math, music, working out, and building fires. They are knowledgeable in mallet playing, bucket hitting, and burn first aid. They have most adventure necessi…](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/664cce969f56712534a8a3e5/1716309657129-MXVOKO7TGY1T3HHXAOJL/kkelsch.JPG)
Kade “[Redacted]” Kelsch ‘24
Assistant Director Emerita
Kade is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys math, music, working out, and building fires. They are knowledgeable in mallet playing, bucket hitting, and burn first aid. They have most adventure necessities in their always present backpack, but more important than all of this is their love for sleep.
Ben “McFly” Meron ’23
Director Emeritus
Ben’s musical career began with Guitar Hero, and passing Through the Fire and Flames remains his most notable musical accomplishment. He did however learn how to play a real guitar, and he later entered the magical world of percussion. He is studying economics and spends too much time watching baseball in his room.
Josh “Boy Detective” Josephy-Zack ‘24
Director
When he's not subconsciously humming or tapping along to random rhythms, Josh studies physics and math in Quincy House. A percussionist for six years before THUD, he has a background primarily in marching snare and jazz drum kit. Originally from Branford, Connecticut (right outside this other college town called New Haven), he also enjoys reading, puzzles, sports, movies, knitting, juggling, and making way too many puns.
KP ‘24
KP is a senior in Kirkland House studying mechanical engineering. Her favorite pastimes for neglecting schoolwork are climbing at CRG, taking photos, and people-watching from Cabot Library second floor windows (in a creepy way? no one can say). With her only percussive background being from middle school band, KP's obviously in THUD because the directors wanted to challenge themselves by taking on a project member.