The Sonic Scene: Luis Flores, Flores Drum& Percussion Lessons

By Frankie Cruz-Aedo

Stepping off the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende, an immediate, thumping wall of sound hits you before you even clear the doorway of Flores Drum & Percussion Lessons.

Inside, the visual collision of serious rock & roll and pure childhood is everywhere. Nestled beneath posters signed by national rock icons, a professional-grade drum kit sits modified—its cymbals lowered and foot pedals brought inward to accommodate young musicians. Founded to cultivate emerging young talent, Flores Drum & Percussion Lessons feels less like a traditional classroom and more like an incubator for our town's future rock stars.

FC: Thanks Luis for this opportunity to explore local youth education, community building, rock music, and your school. What inspired you to establish Flores Drum & Percussion Lessons here?

LF: I think offering the kind of shows and lessons that I would've always wanted when I was a kid is what inspired me to teach. I never imagined it would be this rewarding to see their progress, and to witness how much they enjoy taking the stage and mastering their craft.

FC: Your studio has successfully brought international rock icons to town, including Germán Arroyo (La Gusana Ciega), Kross Vázquez (Panda), and upcoming guest Greyson Nekrutman (Sepultura). How do you manage to secure such high-caliber artists?

LF: I happened to run into Greyson at the Welcome to Rockville music festival in Daytona Beach, Florida. I first told him about the concept behind Flores Drum Lessons, and soon we were talking about bringing him to San Miguel as a guest drummer for our next Masterclass. Having special guests like him join us went from a dream to reality—and it’s just as meaningful for me as it is for my students. Greyson will be here in October, and the kids are beyond thrilled. He’s a true testament to how hard work pays off, and I can't wait for them to learn from him.

FC: Do you think seeing these heavy-hitting drummers up close makes your students realize that a career in music is a real, achievable dream?

LF: Oh, absolutely! Drummers like Germán Arroyo and Kross Vazquez have always been a huge inspiration to me, growing up with their music.

FC: 70 young musicians performing 10 songs to hundreds of spectators was your closing celebration of the Festival de las Artes San Miguel de Allende, FASMA. Tell me about your FutuRock - The Sound of the New Generation that happened on August 23^rd and your Flores Rock Fest in October.

LF: You simply have to experience our Rock Fest! We’re bringing LED screens, drones, and stage FX—on par with FASMA’s grand finale. We feature 17 bands, including 3 guest acts from Querétaro, performing from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., plus official merch like Winter Hall’s Indigo stickers. After The Sound of the New Generation went viral in front of La Parroquia, this festival is set to take that energy even further!

FC: Conventional wisdom says it takes a decade to master the drums, but kids learn at lightning speed. What is the youngest age you’ve seen undeniable talent emerge?

LF: My youngest students are three years old, and they all show incredible potential. My approach is completely hands-on: no boring theory, just immediate engagement.  On day one, I use performance videos so they can connect with real musicians, and they’re already playing tracks by Black Sabbath and AC/DC.

By their third lesson, they’re tackling The Beatles. I film their progress to share with parents, and they are constantly blown away by how fast results happen.

FC: Thank you, Luis, for being such a driving force in San Miguel de Allende—building lasting dreams for our town's aspiring young musicians.