Helen "Montra" De La Rosa

Gretsch Artist Since: 2025

Country: US

Band or Affiliations: Independent

Current Kit Setup:
Renown in Champane Sparkle finish
16x22 BD, 7x10 TT, 8x12 TT, 14x16 FT

Influences:
Nate Wood, Justin Tyson

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
I landed accidentally at Gretsch and when I experienced the sound, there was no way back. Ultimately a mid level Gretsch kit sounds better than other brands top level kits.

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
People only remember the artist that made them feel something real. Remember that every single time you practice or perform.

Bio:
Helen De La Rosa (Los Angeles, California / originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) is an internationally acclaimed drummer, producer, and educator with a distinguished 26-year career that has taken her to some of the biggest stages in the world. She is the co-founder and musical director of Back to Back Beat, a groundbreaking drum duo performed back-to-back alongside Giulliana Merello, showcasing her original music and a unique blend of global rhythms.

A historic figure in music education, Helen was the first and only Dominican in the history of Berklee College of Music to receive the prestigious Presidential Scholarship, an honor awarded to only two non-U.S. citizens annually. Following her graduation, her career continued to rise through collaborations with world-renowned artists such as Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Philip Lassiter, and Miki Howard. She has also participated in some of the industry's premier drumming events, including PASIC and JEN.

With an extensive touring background, she has completed 9 consecutive U.S., Latin American, and European tours, performing with acclaimed international artists such as MARO, Lari Basilio, Engelbert Humperdinck, Donny McCaslin, and Alejandro Sanz.

During her 5 year touring period with Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz, she performed internationally at iconic stadiums and arenas like Madison Square Garden and the Viña del Mar Festival. During this monumental period, she shared the stage with a legendary roster of artists, including Shakira, Luis Fonsi, Camilo, Manuel Turizo, Christian Nodal, Tini, Camila Cabello, Ha*Ash, Niña Pastori, Maná, Arturo Sandoval, Pablo Alborán, Gloria Trevi, Nathy Peluso, and Chucho Valdés.

Helen gained further recognition in June 2022 when she was highlighted in the influential American magazine Modern Drummer, cementing her status as one of the most in-demand players in the industry. Her massive impact on music also earned her the cover story of ESTILOS, the Dominican Republic's premier entertainment magazine, and she was recognized by Diario Libre as one of the five most successful Dominican women abroad.

An elite studio musician, Helen’s recording credits span a diverse array of high-profile projects, including contributing to José Mercé’s Latin Grammy-nominated album Doy La Cara. Her recent recording work includes an NPR Tiny Desk debut with acclaimed Dominican artist YENDRY, a feature in rising star Doechii’s music video, and sessions at Hollywood's emblematic EastWest Studios. She has also collaborated with prominent Dominican figures like Techy Fatule, Manny Cruz, Riccie Oriach, and the legendary Juan Luis Guerra.

As a passionate global educator, Helen has traveled the world conducting highly sought-after masterclasses at elite universities and top-tier institutions across the United States, Europe, India, and Latin America. In 2026, she stood as a main featured artist at Europe's largest drumming event, the 11th Meinl Drum Festival in Germany, and represented the brand as their official artist at the LATAM Summit in Guatemala.

Helen is proudly endorsed by top-tier brands in the industry, including Gretsch Drums, Remo, Meinl Cymbals, and Gibraltar Hardware.