Early Life

Dylan Clotfelter was a creative spirit from the start, never confined by convention or traditional boundaries. Before his passion for music took root, Dylan channeled his imagination through storytelling and conjuring cinematic scenarios using his toys. Growing up in an era when video games heavily influenced young minds, Dylan found music in an unconventional way—through rhythm-based games. His natural feel for rhythm quickly set him apart, and even the highest levels of in-game musicianship couldn’t challenge him. Reflecting on his beginnings, Dylan often says his story echoes Walt Disney's famous line: “It all started with a mouse,” except for him, “It all started with a plastic drum set and Rock Band for the Wii.”

Education

Dylan’s journey in music officially began with drum lessons at Doug Key’s Musicology in Newnan, Georgia. Guided by instructors Torrie Boyd and Jack Jones, he developed a solid foundation in drumming technique, proper form, and music reading. Under their mentorship, Dylan learned to blend technical skill with expressive performance, gaining the proficiency that would define his style. Guitar and bass instructor David Puett expanded Dylan's musical toolkit by introducing him to songwriting, while audio engineer Paul Patton from Lagrange, Georgia, cultivated his curiosity for music production. This mentorship lit the spark for Dylan's exploration of Audio Engineering, and he soon began recording and producing for himself and other artists.

Dylan furthered his musical education at Northgate High School, joining the jazz ensemble his freshman year and gaining exposure to diverse genres like Latin, Swing, and Big Band Jazz. By sophomore year, he was competing in All-State Jazz and continued to excel as a drum set player, reaching top placements at the state level. These experiences solidified his technical abilities and performance versatility, laying the groundwork for his multifaceted music career.

Current Career

Today, Dylan Clotfelter, known by his stage name Kavalier, is an accomplished musician. He performs with the Alternative Rock band 99meltdown and plays with artists like Taylor Wilson and Jacob Hery. Beyond performance, Dylan is the CEO of Downside-Up Studios and Kavalier Music, where he channels his expertise in recording, mixing, and creating impactful music.

Kavalier hopes to soon represent and endorse Vater drumsticks and DW Drums