Rūdolfs DANKFELDS studied the drums with Tālis Gžibovskis, Artis Orubs, and Kaspars Kurdeko. He earned his bachelor’s from the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music and participated in an exchange programme, attending the Como Conservatory of Music in Italy. Dankfelds perfected his skills in classes with Jim Payne, Peter Erskine, Marco Giovino, Johnny Vidacovich, and Kendrick Scott. He is the percussionist of the Daumants Kalniņš Quintet and performs with the Latvian band Instrumenti and popular singer Dons. Dankfelds has also collaborated with the Latvian Radio Big Band.