MemberS
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.
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.
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.
Sebastian “Linnamon Roll” Garcia ‘24
Assistant Director Emeritus
Sebastian is a junior 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.
Chris Ruiz ‘26
Chris is a freshman (groan) in Greenough Hall! Though he doesn’t know what he’s studying, 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 Lizzo.
Bella “Magic Fingers” Pignataro ‘25
Script Master, Director Emerita
Bella is a sophomore in Currier House and is planning on studying biomedical engineering. When she’s not obliterating her sleep schedule at THUD rehearsals, you can find her thinking about Halloween, smiling at dogs, or walking abnormally fast for no reason.
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.
Tomi Siyanbade ‘24
Tomi is a junior 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.
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.
Ryan "Why Did You Write This in 5/4 Ryan” Xia ‘25
Ryan is a sophomore 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.
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.
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.
Misha “Mish” Fischer ’24
Misha is a junior 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.
Steven “David” Cho ‘24
Steven is a Junior from Quincy House and studies electrical engineering. He is down bad for jazz drumming. He is also down bad for soccer and the USMNT. Most importantly, however, he is down horrendous for THUD.
Luke Jackson ‘24
Luke is a junior in Winthrop House studying math. He's not great at describing himself, but he's cracked at being succinct.
Silas Camp ‘26
Social Chair
Silas Camp is a freshman and plans to concentrate 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). Little did he know, he REALLY liked hitting things. He apologizes to the masses for uploading his literal school ID photo.
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.
Annika Huprikar ‘24
Annika is a junior in Quincy House, studying Computer Science and is in the Harvard/Berklee dual degree program for piano and film scoring. Hailing from a random suburb of Chicago, IL, she is a major foodie and a big sci-fi/thriller fan, so anything from Christopher Nolan and J.J Abrams always passes the vibe check. And just so we're keepin' it real with one another, Jefes is quite simply, better.
Raghav Mehrotra ‘26
Raghav is a freshman planning on studying Economics and English and, through the Harvard-Berklee program, obtaining a Masters in Creative Performance for drum set. Outside of THUD and playing music, you'll probably find him napping somewhere seemingly un-nappable or eating a burrito while bawling to Jacob Collier.
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.
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.
Henry “Gabagool” Wu ‘25
Henry is a sophomore interested in data science, public policy, and education. A pianist, cellist, and member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra, he acknowledges the risk inherent in joining a percussion ensemble. He hopes to continue exploring the ways music can bring together communities and spread joy.
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.
Nicole “Jane” Austen ‘25
Nicole is a sophomore 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.
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/v1/5b5cd06eb105989537a825a3/1632683032924-JC9JI3BZT4NNRBNMJ5P1/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.