Category Archives: Uncategorized

Neil W. Grover

A member of the Percussive Arts Society’s Hall of Fame, Neil W. Grover is an accomplished music educator, author, composer, and former Chair of the Percussion Programs at both The Boston Conservatory, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He is probably best known as the founder of Grover Pro Percussion Inc., where his innovative designs and…

Dr. Edward Choi

Dr. Edward Choi is the Principal Percussionist of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. As a student, he attended the University of Toronto, Northwestern University, and Rutgers University.  At these prestigious institutions, he formerly studied percussion with Alan Abel, She-e Wu, James Ross, Michael Burritt, John Rudolph, and Russell Hartenberger. In addition to his work with the…

Ricky Burkhead

Since 1994, Ricky Burkhead has been the Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Mississippi, and prior to his appointment at Ole Miss, he served on the music faculty at Mississippi Valley State University.  In 1995 he created the University of Mississippi Steel Drum Band, making it the first world music ensemble organized at…

Dr. Douglas Walter

Internationally renowned marimba and vibraphone artist, Dr. Douglas Walter, was the first percussionist to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition in New York City, and has performed over 300 solo recitals and concerti in North America, South America, and Europe. He currently serves as the Director of Percussion at the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB)…

John Tafoya

A proud endorser of the Avedis Zildjian Company, Grover Pro Percussion, Remo Inc., and Yamaha Corporation, John Tafoya is a Professor of Music in Percussion at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and served as Chair of its Percussion Department from 2008 – 2021. He has served on the music department faculties at the…

William Moersch

William Moersch is a recipient of the prestigious Percussive Arts Society’s Lifetime Achievement in Education Award, and is a Professor of Percussion at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Prior to his appointment at the University of Illinois, he created the graduate degree programs in marimba performance at the Peabody Conservatory, and Rutgers University.  He…

Dr. Tracy Wiggins

An artist/endorser for Yamaha Percussion, Black Swamp Percussion, Innovative Percussion, Remo Drum Heads and Percussion, Beetle Percussion, and Sabian Cymbals, Dr. Tracy Wiggins is Assistant Director of Bands and Coordinator of the Percussion Program at The University of North Alabama.  He has studied under the tutelage of: Johnny Almendra, Tricia Bovenschen, Wayne Bovenschen, Michael Bump,…

Vicki Peterson Jenks

Vicki Peterson Jenks is an accomplished educator, performer, and recipient of the prestigious Percussive Arts Society’s Lifetime Achievement in Education Award.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, and a Master’s Degree in Performance and Literature at Baylor University.  In 1976, she founded the percussion program…

James Campbell

Member of the Percussive Arts Society, Drum Corp International, and Bands of America Halls of Fame, acclaimed performer, pedagogue, composer, and author, James Campbell is the Provost’s Distinguished Service Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.  A respected figure in the development of the contemporary percussion ensemble,…

Benjamin Toth

Innovative Percussion, Yamaha, and Zildjian Cymbals artist, Benjamin Toth is a Professor of Percussion at The University of Hartford’s Hartt School, and recipient of the 2021 Roy E. Larsen Award for Excellence in Teaching.  Before coming to Hartt, he served on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music as a member of…