Janae Yates is a drummer from Jacksonville, Florida. She is a Florida State University alumna. She is attending The Juilliard School as she obtains her master's degree in Jazz Drums.

​

Janae has been a member of NYO Jazz and the Ravinia Steins Music Institute. She has performed in Bern, Switzerland, at Marian's, the Chicago Midwest Clinic, Music For All Convention, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Jazz Education Network Conference, and more. She recently served as Music Assistant for George Clooney's broadway debut, Good Night, And Good Luck, under Bryan Carter and Daniel Kluger.

​

She has performed and learned from the great Ernie Watts, Jimmy Owens, Rufus Reid, Wycliffe Gordon, Sean Jones, and more. Janae has been studying with/mentored by John Lumpkin Jr., Ulysses Owens Jr., Leon Anderson Jr., Billy Drummond, and Kenny Washington.

​

Janae's goal for the future is to use her studies to ameliorate her musicianship, artistry, and character, become an inspiration to those like her who want to use their art to create change in the world, and serve as an idol for the increased representation of black women within the music community.