Ivanna Cuesta is a drummer, composer, and educator from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, known for her powerful artistry and ability to blend diverse musical traditions. With a strong foundation in jazz and contemporary music, her work bridges cultural, rhythmic, and stylistic worlds in bold and innovative ways.

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She holds degrees from the Dominican Republic Music Conservatory and Berklee College of Music, where she studied with world-renowned artists including Neal Smith, Terri Lyne Carrington, Francisco Mela, etc.​ Ivanna is a compelling live performer, appearing at major festivals and venues such as the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival, DC Jazz Festival, Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, Monheim Triennale Festival, Soberano Awards, and more. She is proudly endorsed by Paiste Cymbals and Vater Drumsticks.

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In 2019, she won first place in the Hit Like a Girl contest (18–39 category), leading to a featured performance at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). She has since collaborated with a wide range of influential artists including Aaron Parks, Kandace Springs, Miguel Zenón, Concha Buika, Kris Davis, Aaron Goldberg, George Garzone, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Nando Michelin Quartet, Alisa Amador, Sócrates García Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, and Pepe Rivero.

 

In 2022, Ivanna was selected as a Fellow for the prestigious Next Jazz Legacy program, co-led by Terri Lyne Carrington, where she received mentorship from legendary artists Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding.

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As a composer, Ivanna has created original work for projects and commissions with Canobie Films, ACLU Massachusetts, Cinema First Nasty Women, Pathos Trio, and more. She is also a member of the forward-thinking Droid Mafia label, a collective of artists dedicated to experimental and socially conscious music.

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Ivanna is also committed to music education, having led masterclasses and workshops at institutions including the University of Arkansas, Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, Dominican Republic Music Conservatory, and Walker West’s Women in Jazz Retreat in Minnesota.

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Her debut album as a bandleader, A Letter to the Earth (Orenda Records), features Grammy-winning pianist Kris Davis, Ben Solomon, Max Ridley, and Paulina Camou. The album received a Bronze Medal at the 2024 Global Music Awards and has been featured at Dizzy’s Club (NYC), The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Mission Hill Arts Festival, Dot Jazz Series, and the 2025 Charles River Jazz Festival.