John Riley is a critically acclaimed performer, author, teacher, and recipient of the Percussive Arts Society’s Lifetime Achievement in Education Award. He is a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music, and previously taught at Kutztown University, Purchase College Conservatory of Music, and William Paterson University. Mr. Riley is also an Artist in Residence…
Director of the Percussion Departments at Vassar College and the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, Frank Cassara is also the Principal Percussionist with the Riverside Symphony. A proponent of classic, modern, and world music, Mr. Cassara has premiered many works with diverse groups, and regularly performs with the Philip Glass Ensemble, Percussia, Music From China,…
Founder of the auditionhacker academy, which helps orchestral-track musicians win auditions, Rob Knopper has also served as faculty member at the Verbier Festival, the Interlochen Arts Camp, and the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival in South Africa. His students have won auditions and advanced to the finals with such major orchestras as the Philadelphia Orchestra,…
Jonathan Haas is a Professor of Music, Director of Percussion Studies, Co-Director of the orchestra program, and conductor of the Contemporary Music Ensemble at New York University. He also teaches at the Juilliard Pre-College (JPC) Division, conducts the JPC Percussion Ensemble, as well as the Aspen Music Festival Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Haas is Principal Percussionist…
Principal Percussionist of the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, William J. James earned a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University, and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory. He has performed with many outstanding ensembles such as: the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the…
Head of the Percussion Program at Rutgers University, Joseph Tompkins is also an Adjunct Professor at the Mannes College of Music, and has presented masterclasses throughout the United States and across Europe. Professor Tompkins’ compositions for snare drum are internationally recognized, and he has been commissioned to compose works for the percussion sections of the…
Casey Cangelosi is an Associate Professor and Director of Percussion Studies at James Madison University. He holds music degrees from Rice University, The Boston Conservatory, and Utah State University. A sought after commissioned composer, Professor Cangelosi is deemed by colleagues and critics alike as the Paganini of Percussion and The voice of a new generation.…
Professor of Snare Drum and Drum Set at Grand Canyon University, Steve Fitch holds the position of Associate Principal Timpanist, Percussion, and Drum Set with The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra (PSO). Mr. Fitch earned a Bachelor’s of Music degree in percussion performance under the tutelage of Michael Rosen at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. While at…
Director of Percussion at South Dakota State University (SDSU), Dr. Aaron Ragsdale teaches applied percussion, percussion pedagogy, conducts the SDSU Percussion Ensemble, and serves as Assistant Director of the renowned Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma; a Master of Music from the…
A concert artist and clinician for Malletech and the Zildjian Company, Dr. Blake Tyson is also Professor of Music at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA); a faculty member at the Interlochen Arts Camp; and served on the faculties of New Mexico State University, and the University of Alabama. He holds a DMA from the…