WHAT OTHERS SAY
Working with Martina Barakoska on my projects was an absolute privilege and a masterclass in modern drumming. From the very first take, she brought an incredible blend of technical precision, deep groove, and genuine musical sensitivity to the sessions. Martina has a rare ability to instantly understand the emotional core of a piece. She didn’t just play the charts I wrote for her; she elevated the entire arrangement, finding the perfect space for her drums to breathe alongside other instruments. Her stylistic versatility and impeccable time-keeping gave the tracks a powerful, organic energy that truly brought the music to life. Beyond her phenomenal talent behind the kit, Martina is an exceptional professional and a joy to collaborate with. Her communication throughout the process was prompt, clear, and incredibly supportive, making the entire recording experience seamless and deeply rewarding.
If you are looking for a world-class drummer who brings passion, creativity, and flawless execution to the studio, I cannot recommend Martina highly enough. I am immensely grateful for her contribution to my tracks and I look forward to the next opportunity to work together!
I had the pleasure of working extensively with Martina on my 2025 album, Hell-Bent. What began as hiring her to play drums on a single song quickly evolved into a full-length album collaboration. The energy, creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail she brought to that first track made it an easy decision to keep working together.
As the project grew, so did Martina’s contributions. What started as session drumming expanded into percussion, backing vocals, and creative input that helped shape the overall sound of the record. Her musical instincts consistently elevated the songs and made her an invaluable part of the process.
Since Hell-Bent, Martina has also contributed to my single, Greetings from the Moon, and has been involved in the early stages of several other projects. What began as a straightforward session musician arrangement has blossomed into a truly collaborative creative partnership.
Martina is always one of the first people I think of when I need a trusted musical ally. Her talent, versatility, and collaborative spirit make her a joy to work with, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to any artist looking to take their music to the next level.
It is nothing but a pleasure to work with Martina! Besides her musical mind and natural talent for drumming, she also knows how to ask the right questions and connect the dots. Once she takes the bait, she just doesn't let go and stays on track in the most disciplined way. This behavior and strategy extend to her band projects and her own teaching routine as well. I predict a great future in music and drumming for Martina. One that has already begun!
First and foremost, Martina's classes are an absolute blast! They are filled with engaging activities tailored specifically to your growth journey. As you progress, Martina effortlessly introduces additional layers, providing a comprehensive understanding of the broader context, background, and intricate mechanics. Each session is a stimulating challenge, and Martina herself is an extraordinarily awesome individual.
Collaborating with Martina was a great experience! Although I'm a musician in grad school studying to be a counselor, I still enjoy singing and composing music in my spare time. Earlier this year I began composing a song that I was getting a lot of positive feedback on, so I reached out to Martina out of curiosity. As soon as Martina was on board, we got started. The process was efficient, and it didn't take long for things to come together. Martina was a pleasure to work with and as a drummer, she compliments my music well.
Martina is a great talent both as a drummer and a teacher. I've been taking classes from her for a long time and the progress we've made so far is incredible. She breaks down complex concepts for your level and gives you enough time to apply. She doesn't have a one size fits all approach; instead, she wants you to feel the taste of playing an instrument by teaching what you're most interested in. Her personality and positive attitude is also above and beyond. I'm so proud of her career success and very happy to be a part of her lovely drum community.
Let me spill the beans about Martina, my drum teacher! First off, her schedule is as flexible as a gymnast doing yoga. You want to drum at odd hours? Martina's got your back! And when it comes to being pro, she's top-notch. Patient? She could teach a sloth to play, that's how patient she is. Here's the scoop: no generic stuff with her. She tailors your drumming journey like a bespoke suit. No boring, one-size-fits-all courses. It's like having your own drumming roadmap, and you're the navigator. If you're after a drum teacher who's the real deal, Martina is your person. I'd give her a solid 9 outta 10 stars. She's earned it.
Learning from Martina was an incredible experience. Her lessons on form and technique boosted my endurance, directly impacting my achievements in drum speed-running. Her insightful and patient approach made every lesson both educational and enjoyable.
Martina was called to jump in and provide a new and fresh approach to a demanding lyrical musicalisation of a famous poem by C. Cavafy, the 'Voices'. A song that was already produced in Greek but now released also in English. What I keep from our collaboration is the way we got on the same page and how she was able to interpret the composer's need to convey the transcendental sensations and realisations of the poetry: remembering the voices of those we lost and we recall in our dreams as the 'early poetry' of our life. She was able to work with rather brief but meaningful interaction and exchanges to come up with and perform a dynamic but also insightful and powerful set of percussion layers for my song! Happy to have worked with her!
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