About the Founder

From an early age, Philip was captivated by the power of music. A defining moment came at just four years old, while sitting in church, filled with energy and excitement. The sound of the organ resonated deeply, but something was missing—the drums. Drawn to the unplayed instrument, he ran from his mother’s lap to the drum set, staring up at the massive instrument with its five toms, snare, kick pedal, hi-hat, and cymbals. Though too small to reach, his determination was unstoppable.

Then, a moment of kindness and opportunity changed everything. The drummer arrived, placed him on his lap, and together they played alongside the organist. It was in that moment —tiny drumsticks in hand, heart pounding to the rhythm—that a lifelong love for music was born.

At home, that passion never faded. Without a drum set, he used pots, pans, pillows, and even hangers as drumsticks to create music, playing along with records and imagining himself on a grand stage. Music became more than a hobby—it was a safe haven.

Growing up in a low-income neighborhood riddled with drugs and gangs, music provided an escape from adversity. It was a source of hope, a refuge, and a way to dream beyond his surroundings. That deep personal connection to music’s transformative power fueled the creation of Fundamentals Music Academy (FMA).