Tyler Pedersen Wins Blue Man Group Boston Drum-Off

Blue Man Group Boston hosted their 5th annual Drum-Off competition at The Summer Block Party at the Lawn on D in Boston on Saturday where Tyler Pedersen, 24, from Marblehead, MA was crowned the winner. Tyler rocked the crowd during his 3-minute solo performance and had the opportunity to perform a piece called "Drum Finale Throwdown" with the famed Blue Men and Blue Man Group band. In addition, he won over $6,000 in prizes including a new DW drum kit, Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and accessories, plus tickets and prizes from Blue Man Group.

"It was a really hard decision. All the contestants really brought it today," said Scott Toomey, Resident Music Director and judge. "Tyler just had the showmanship, he was really in control, had great musicianship and got the crowd involved. His solo was put together like a composition and it felt a little more musical than the other performances. It was a tough decision, but Tyler really impressed all of us."

Drummers were assessed on their musicality, creativity, technical ability and personality while performing. Tyler, who competed in the 2017 Drum-Off, beat out four other competitors: Vlade Guigni, 33, who currently lives in Boston and originally the Dominican Republic, Xavier Martin, 32, from Sanford, North Carolina, Cameron Petros, 19, from Ellsworth, Maine and Victoria Venegas-Rizk, 20, who currently lives in Boston and is from Miami, Florida.

"This experience was incredible. It was amazing playing with Blue Man Group. They are such personalities and it was so much fun to be on stage with them," said Tyler Pedersen. "When they announced that I was the winner, I almost didn't believe it. I'm so happy and thankful to have the opportunity to be selected."

The competitors were narrowed down from 25 applicants. The top five finalists had two rehearsals to learn new music so the winner could then perform with Blue Man Group during the finals event.

"Watching all of the inspiring performances in front of such an enthusiastic audience is always a kick, but what all of us in the Blue Man Group community and hopefully the finalists too, appreciate about this event is the camaraderie between the musicians," said Jonathan Screnci Resident General Manager of Blue Man Group Boston. "During the rehearsals at the Charles Playhouse, to see everyone riffing off each other, learning, sharing their experiences and expertise, doing what we love to do. That transcends winners, losers and the competitive process."

For more information about Blue Man Group, please visit BLUEMAN.com or call 1.800.BLUEMAN. Fans can keep up with Blue Man Group through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or the hashtag #DareToLive and #BlueManDrumOff

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