Ernesto Aguirre is a drummer, percussionist, and composer whose work fuses storytelling, rhythm, and cultural depth into a distinctive musical voice. A first-generation Mexican-American and graduate of the University of North Texas College of Music, Ernesto draws on his heritage and lifelong connection to percussion to create emotionally resonant music for both the screen and stage. Beginning his musical journey at just two years old behind a drum kit, Ernesto has since expanded his expertise to encompass marching percussion, Latin, Brazilian, West African, and South Indian traditions, jazz drumming, and orchestral percussion. This rhythmic foundation shapes his work as both an orchestrator for film and television and as an educator, helping composers and musicians worldwide refine their craft through online resources and his YouTube channel. As a performer, Ernesto has toured nationally with Drum Corps International as lead vibraphonist for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, performed across Eastern Europe with the YOSA Philharmonic Orchestra as timpanist, and appeared with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra at the world-class Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Ernesto is the founder of Twin Drummer Publishing, a music publishing company dedicated to original works and educational commissions. He receives several commissions each year, and his music is performed by school ensembles across the United States as well as by musicians and groups around the world. His catalog includes works for orchestra, concert band, percussion ensemble, and chamber settings, written with a focus on musicality, accessibility, and educational value. His formal studies include percussion with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, and Christopher Deane, and jazz drumset with Steve Barnes. He broadened his musical language through world traditions, studying Latin and Brazilian percussion with José Aponte, West African drumming with Gideon Alorwoyie, and South Indian music and rhythm with Poovalur Sriji, and further expanded his compositional voice through jazz arranging with Grammy-nominated composer Richard DeRosa. Ernesto continues to hone his craft through mentorships with acclaimed industry figures including multi-Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated composer Bruce Broughton; legendary Hollywood orchestrator Tim Simonec (Up, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Rogue One, Spider-Man: Homecoming); film and television composer Trevor Morris (Vikings, The Tudors, Olympus Has Fallen); renowned concert band composer Carol Britten Chambers; and Emmy-nominated composer Amanda Jones (Home, MurderBot, Adventure Time). Ernesto is a proud member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the Composers Diversity Collective (CDC), and the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL).

Ernesto Aguirre

PRO

Ernesto Aguirre is a drummer, percussionist, and composer whose work fuses storytelling, rhythm, and cultural depth into a distinctive musical voice. A first-generation Mexican-American and graduate of the University of North Texas College of Music, Ernesto draws on his heritage and lifelong connection to percussion to create emotionally resonant music for both the screen and stage. Beginning his musical journey at just two years old behind a drum kit, Ernesto has since expanded his expertise to encompass marching percussion, Latin, Brazilian, West African, and South Indian traditions, jazz drumming, and orchestral percussion. This rhythmic foundation shapes his work as both an orchestrator for film and television and as an educator, helping composers and musicians worldwide refine their craft through online resources and his YouTube channel. As a performer, Ernesto has toured nationally with Drum Corps International as lead vibraphonist for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, performed across Eastern Europe with the YOSA Philharmonic Orchestra as timpanist, and appeared with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra at the world-class Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Ernesto is the founder of Twin Drummer Publishing, a music publishing company dedicated to original works and educational commissions. He receives several commissions each year, and his music is performed by school ensembles across the United States as well as by musicians and groups around the world. His catalog includes works for orchestra, concert band, percussion ensemble, and chamber settings, written with a focus on musicality, accessibility, and educational value. His formal studies include percussion with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, and Christopher Deane, and jazz drumset with Steve Barnes. He broadened his musical language through world traditions, studying Latin and Brazilian percussion with José Aponte, West African drumming with Gideon Alorwoyie, and South Indian music and rhythm with Poovalur Sriji, and further expanded his compositional voice through jazz arranging with Grammy-nominated composer Richard DeRosa. Ernesto continues to hone his craft through mentorships with acclaimed industry figures including multi-Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated composer Bruce Broughton; legendary Hollywood orchestrator Tim Simonec (Up, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Rogue One, Spider-Man: Homecoming); film and television composer Trevor Morris (Vikings, The Tudors, Olympus Has Fallen); renowned concert band composer Carol Britten Chambers; and Emmy-nominated composer Amanda Jones (Home, MurderBot, Adventure Time). Ernesto is a proud member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the Composers Diversity Collective (CDC), and the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL).

Available to hire

Ernesto Aguirre is a drummer, percussionist, and composer whose work fuses storytelling, rhythm, and cultural depth into a distinctive musical voice. A first-generation Mexican-American and graduate of the University of North Texas College of Music, Ernesto draws on his heritage and lifelong connection to percussion to create emotionally resonant music for both the screen and stage.

Beginning his musical journey at just two years old behind a drum kit, Ernesto has since expanded his expertise to encompass marching percussion, Latin, Brazilian, West African, and South Indian traditions, jazz drumming, and orchestral percussion. This rhythmic foundation shapes his work as both an orchestrator for film and television and as an educator, helping composers and musicians worldwide refine their craft through online resources and his YouTube channel.

As a performer, Ernesto has toured nationally with Drum Corps International as lead vibraphonist for the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps, performed across Eastern Europe with the YOSA Philharmonic Orchestra as timpanist, and appeared with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra at the world-class Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

Ernesto is the founder of Twin Drummer Publishing, a music publishing company dedicated to original works and educational commissions. He receives several commissions each year, and his music is performed by school ensembles across the United States as well as by musicians and groups around the world. His catalog includes works for orchestra, concert band, percussion ensemble, and chamber settings, written with a focus on musicality, accessibility, and educational value.

His formal studies include percussion with Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Sandi Rennick, and Christopher Deane, and jazz drumset with Steve Barnes. He broadened his musical language through world traditions, studying Latin and Brazilian percussion with José Aponte, West African drumming with Gideon Alorwoyie, and South Indian music and rhythm with Poovalur Sriji, and further expanded his compositional voice through jazz arranging with Grammy-nominated composer Richard DeRosa.

Ernesto continues to hone his craft through mentorships with acclaimed industry figures including multi-Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated composer Bruce Broughton; legendary Hollywood orchestrator Tim Simonec (Up, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, Rogue One, Spider-Man: Homecoming); film and television composer Trevor Morris (Vikings, The Tudors, Olympus Has Fallen); renowned concert band composer Carol Britten Chambers; and Emmy-nominated composer Amanda Jones (Home, MurderBot, Adventure Time).

Ernesto is a proud member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the Composers Diversity Collective (CDC), and the Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL).

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Composer's Assistant at Women Wearing Shoulder Pads (Television)
January 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025
Composer’s Assistant on a television project, supporting music creation and on-set coordination.
Composer at Mighty Moron
January 1, 2021 - December 1, 2021
Composer for the web series.
Composer at Aire
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2021
Composer for the project across 2019–2021.
Composer's Assistant at Bem Y Yó (Film)
January 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025
Composer’s Assistant on a feature film.
Composer / Director & Producer at Nowhere
January 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025
Composer; Director & Producer for Jensen Chambers project.
Composer / Director & Producer at Quiet Valley
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Composer; Director & Producer for Colin Giloon project.
Composer / Director & Producer at Help!
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Composer; Director & Producer for Colin Giloon project.
Composer / Director & Producer at Family Jewels
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Composer; Director & Producer for Skyler Thomas project.
Composer / Director & Producer at Perspective
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Composer; Director & Producer for Skyler Thomas project.
Composer / Director & Producer at Eschaton
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Composer; Director & Producer for Skyler Thomas project.
Composer / Director & Producer at The Black Cat
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Composer; Director & Producer for Samuel Dewick project.
Composer / Director & Producer at Things My Exes Said
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020
Composer; Director & Producer for Samantha West project.
Composer / Director at Lying in Wait
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Composer; Director & Producer for Melissa Snow and Elisha Luckett project.
Composer / Director at Atrevete!
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Composer; Director for Kaarthik Tharmiya and Selam Yohannis project.
Composer / Director at No Tomorrow
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Composer; Director for Nicole Lefeteau and Peyton Fowler project.
Composer / Director at Toxic
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Composer; Director for Joey Wehnert and Chandler Stroede project.
Composer at The Estate (Podcast)
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Podcast composer for Sonoro Global Media Corp. in association with Tenderfoot TV.

Education

Bachelor of Arts – Music at University of North Texas – College of Music
August 23, 2017 - December 17, 2021

Qualifications

ASCAP Membership
January 11, 2030 - April 3, 2026
Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) Membership
January 11, 2030 - April 3, 2026
Composers Diversity Collective (CDC) Membership
January 11, 2030 - April 3, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services
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