Principal Drumset Performer for SIX: The Musical on Broadway, percussionist, educator, and freelancer Elena Bonomo stops by to talk about her PASIC Presentation on Performing and Reading Charts for theatrical performance (03:20), her current gig on Broadway and freelancing work (26:10), growing up in Westchester (NY), her piano-playing grandmother,…

University of Windsor (ON) Percussion Professor Nicholas Papador stops by to talk about his recent PASIC Presentation on Klezmer arrangements with the help of Heartland Marimba (04:00), his job at Windsor, the Canadian Percussion Network, the Marassa Duo, his compositional career and living in Canada (16:25), growing up mostly in Portland (OR), and…

PASIC 2024 Week is here! Enjoy interviews from folks presenting on Friday, Saturday, and beyond, with contributions from Nicolas Papador (01:40), Elena Bonomo (15:00), Kathryn Irwin (38:50), and Elizabeth DeLamater (57:45). Links: PASIC 2024 Nicolas Papador and the Heartland Marimba Quartet Elena Bonomo Kathryn Irwin Diversity Alliance Panel…

It’s PASIC week! Get ready for the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2024 edition) with a preview episode featuring those performing on Thursday of PASIC, including Joseph Van Hassel (05:00), Melissa Wang (14:15), Olivia Cirisan (32:25), and Kathryn Irwin (47:35). Links: PASIC 2024 Joseph Van Hassel Melissa Wang Olivia Cirisan Witho…

Murray State University (KY) Percussion Instructor Conner Viets returns to talk about finishing his master’s degree during the pandemic, temp jobs, and freelance teaching (03:25), going to Indiana University for the doctorate (11:50), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including discussions about the large quantity of great percussion pla…

Murray State University (KY) Percussion Professor and Indiana University Doctoral student Conner Viets stops by to talk about his simultaneous careers as well as living in Kentucky (04:25), growing up in Nebraska and Kansas City, being in strong musical environments, working in high school, and taking part in Youth & Government (24:35), attending T…

Kansas State University Percussion Professor Kurt Gartner stops by to talk about his KSU job, working at Purdue University in bands, changes related to the arts in Kansas, and the importance of teacher mentorship (03:40), his interest and work related to using music technology, when he did video conference in the mid 2000s with Pete, and the city o…

Following Pete’s thoughts about the devastation from Hurricane Helene, University of South Carolina Adjunct Percussion Instructor and Drumline Director Bailey Seabury stops by to talk about his job at USC, the football gameday experience, getting ready to march the Macy’s Parade in November, freelancing, and the geography of the state (04:30), grow…

New York City-based percussionist, performer, educator, and composer Pauline Roberts stops by to talk about her performance activities in the area (04:00), her freelancing and teaching schedule, traveling around for gigs, and dealing with sexism in the music industry (19:00), growing up in Buenos Aires (and Australia), her supportive parents, dabbl…

Percussionist, Bandleader, Vocalist, Historian, Educator, and Businessperson Kelli Rae Tubbs returns to talk about getting started professionally, building a broad base of skills, and developing performance goals (04:05), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on writing for maracas, experiencing the music world as a woman, …

Percussionist, Bandleader, Vocalist, Historian, Clinician and Educator Kelli Rae Tubbs stops by to talk about being the “world’s oldest intern” for the Everwood Arts Foundation, playing gigs, researching drumset players who are women, and getting into the instrument rental business (03:35), her current work as a performer, speaker, and “Riverlorian…

University of Arkansas – Little Rock Percussion (UALR) Professor and Director of Instrumental Music Justin Bunting returns to talk about going to Belmont University (TN) for his master’s degree and meeting his future wife there (02:25), going to UNCG for his doctorate and studying with 3 different professors there, along with his time teaching at W…

University of Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR) Director of Instrumental Music and Percussion Studies Justin Bunting stops by to talk about the program at UALR, getting the job, and the city of Little Rock (03:40), the Blue Line Duo and performing with his wife, Cassie (25:30), the “Percussion Pitmasters” Facebook page (33:15), growing up in Canton, OH, …

University of Oklahoma Lecturer in World Music and Principal Timpanist with the Missouri Symphony Orchestra (MOSY) Chrissie Souza stops by to talk about her job at OU (03:15), playing with MOSY and working with other local orchestras (12:30), growing up in Southeast Missouri and her musical upbringing (24:50), attending the U.S. Percussion Camp and…

Recent Mizzou Master’s Of Music in Percussion Performance graduate Olivia Sletteland stops by to talk about some of the music she played at the University (03:25), her experiences with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble (NME) (10:45), the issues and concerns she and her cohort have about the world of percussion, and the wonderful group of people she stu…

Recent Mizzou Master’s in Percussion Performance Graduate and Adjunct Professor of Music at St. Cloud State University (MN) Mary Emmons returns to talk about her undergraduate years at the University of Tennessee-Martin (01:15), the challenges of the pandemic and performing her recital there (11:45), getting to Mizzou for grad school and a discussi…

Recent graduate of the University of Missouri Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance Mary Emmons stops by to talk about some of the literature she got to play during her time at Mizzou (03:05), her graduate assistantship responsibilities as percussion teaching assistant (18:35), her individual cohort members that she did her degree with (31:10),…

University of Kentucky Professor Erin Walker Bliss returns to talk about her master’s degree years at DePaul University (IL) (01:40), getting her doctorate at the University of Kentucky, studying with Jim Campbell, the challenges of raising kids with a spouse in the same field, and getting better at hosting folks (10:40), and finishes with the Rand…

University of Kentucky Senior Lecturer of Global Music and Central Music Academy Director Erin Walker Bliss stops by to talk about her job at UK, the world of ethnomusicology, living in another state, and her research on Scottish Pipe Band Music (04:00), the Central Music Academy, its mission, and working in the non-profit world (38:00), growing up…

Alcorn State University (MS) Chair for the Department of Fine Arts Sean Daniels returns to the show to talk about his work as a middle school and high school teacher after his master’s degree, working at Hampton University (VA) and getting recruited to work at Benedict College (SC) and getting connected to UNCG for his doctorate (04:15), his time w…

Alcorn State University (MS) Fine Arts Chair, Percussion Teacher, and Instrumental Coordinator (and Pete’s DMA colleague) Sean Daniels stops by to talk about his HBCU gig, getting back into administration, and rebuilding Alcorn’s percussion and music program (04:30), more about the ASU’s Sounds of Dynamite, faculty and recruitment, famous Alcorn al…

A very special Episode indeed! Hard In The Paint Sports Media Owner David Grubb returns for his 5thappearance on Pete’s Percussion Podcast to discuss being the first member of the PPP 5-Timers Club, SNL, Wake Forest and Tim Duncan (04:30), gives a brief thumbnail sketch of his life and career (11:15), working as a Sports Information Director, worki…

University of Southern Florida (USF) Percussion Professor Kevin von Kampen returns to discuss getting his master’s degree at USF and moving to Florida (02:15), working in middle school and high school, teaching drumlines, and freelancing with many pop artists on their tours, including Weird Al Yankovic (15:30), getting his doctorate at Cincinnati C…

University of Southern Florida (USF) Percussion Professor (and Pete’s Percussion Podcast superfan) Kevin von Kampen stops by to talk (briefly) about some podcast items (05:20), his job at USF and other percussion activities (06:20), his work with the Contemporary Art Music Project in Tampa (28:40), growing up in Southwest Iowa (and near Omaha), his…

Recent Mizzou Master of Music in Percussion Performance graduate Sarah Hasekamp stops by to talk about the challenging literature she’s recently played, studying under multiple percussion teachers at Mizzou, her GTA responsibilities, her master’s degree cohorts, and doing a master’s degree at the same place as her partner (03:40), growing up in Pat…

The Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) is having their 2nd annual “ABOP in L.A.” event starting this weekend, May 26 – 31, 2024! ABOP Co-Founder and Mentor Douglas Cardwell stops by along with his ABOP Protégé Torrance Buntyn Jr. to discuss the origins of ABOP and how the mentorship program works (03:35), the first ever ABOP in L.A.…

Recent University of Missouri Master of Music in Percussion Performance graduate Miles Bohlman stops by to talk about his various grad program recitals (04:45), his Graduate Assistantship with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble and finishing the degree (21:15), growing up in the Chicago (IL) suburbs, his musical family, playing soccer goalie growing up,…

Montreal-based Freelance Percussionist and Educator Kristie Ibrahim stops by to talk about Sixtrum Percussion Ensemble, teaching at McGill University, the city of Montreal and the expansion of the university (03:00), growing up in Saskatchewan (Canada), her piano background, the great teachers and colleagues involved in her percussion development, …

United States Air Force Academy Band Percussionist and Drummer Kathryn Yuill stops by to talk about her military band job, the active scheduling and performing with all of the ensembles that occurs, and living in Colorado Springs (02:20), what it’s like to play in military bands, the audition process, and freelancing and subbing in Colorado (13:20)…

Iowa City-based percussionist, educator, and band leader Ginny Armstrong stops by to talk about her teaching responsibilities in and around Iowa, teaching community steel band, and performing regularly (03:50), growing up in West Virginia, playing organ, and getting into percussion (30:00), attending West Virginia University for her undergrad (44:3…

Minneapolis-based percussionist Eri Isomura returns to talk about how she recovered from overuse injuries physically and mentally after undergrad (02:05), her time as a grad student at the Boston Conservatory (MA), studying with great teachers, attending summer festivals, and why it’s so challenging to have a performance career in Boston (12:55), a…

Minneapolis (MN)-based freelance percussionist and educator Eri Isomura stops by to discuss her freelancing work, 10th Wave Music, networking, and the amount of planning needed to put it all together (03:40), her responsibilities when she taught at St. Olaf (MN), changes in her life once she became a mom, and the “Three M’s of Freelancing” (22:30),…

Allen Otte returns to talk about getting to Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, taking over the percussion program, establishing the Percussion Group Cincinnati at the school, and building a program (01:40), the changing personnel of PGC, commissioning composers, performing with students, being the “institutional memory”, and his decision to retire (…

Retired Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Professor, co-founder of BlackEarth Percussion Group and the Percussion Group Cincinnati, and performing percussionist Allen Otte stops by to talk about his current work with an early music improvisational group and The Innocents Project with John Lane (03:50), growing up in Sheboygan, WI, playing in church …

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Music Professor Bill Sallak stops by to talk about his job and dual role as director of percussion and audio engineering, working previously at Kent State (OH), Akros Percussion Collective, and manufacturing his own percussion items (03:20), growing up near Buffalo (NY), his interests in science and math, and watch…

Denver-based sound bath specialist and freelance percussionist Arin Levy returns to talk about getting their DMA from Alabama, falling out of interest in getting a teaching job, and their personalized dissertation (01:35), getting into sound baths, moving to Denver, and working for MakeMusic (19:25), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions segm…

Denver (CO)-based percussionist Arin Levy stops by to talk about Enso Sounds, gong selection, dealing with logistics, and the business of sound baths (03:15), growing up in Canton (OH), drum corps, playing trombone, and their involvement in theater (26:40), their undergrad years at Ohio University (36:55), going to Eastern Kentucky for master’s and…

High Point University (NC) Professor of Percussion, Theory and Composition Louis Raymond-Kolker stops by to chat about HPU, North Carolina, and teaching at Appalachian State and Winston-Salem State (02:25), getting into composing and the art of teaching composition (26:05), growing up in Austin, TX and getting into all things percussion (37:40), hi…

Percussionist, Band Leader, and Podcaster Blair Helsing stops by to talk about his life and a percussionist, band leader and percussion enthusiast (02:30), his work with the PAS Diversity Alliance and his career in Information Technology (17:25), growing up in Chicago and California (26:40), moving to the Bay Area in college, playing in bands regul…

Grand Valley State University (MI) Visiting Professor of Music Theory, Composer, Educator and Percussionist Olivia Kieffer returns to talk about heading to Georgia State for her percussion masters degree, working with Chix with Stix, and teaching and freelancing in the Atlanta area (02:45), making the decision to pursue grad degrees in composition …

Grand Valley State University (MI) Professor of Music Theory Olivia Kieffer stops by to talk about her job responsibilities at GVSU and some of her past experiences that led her to that particular place (04:10), her work on the PAS Diversity Alliance and the 2023 PASIC panel she moderated (21:20), growing up in Wisconsin, getting involved in percus…

Percussionist, Educator, Freelancer, and Composer/Arranger Pablo Rieppi returns in Part 2 to discuss growing up in Northern Virginia (after being born in Uruguay), getting into percussion, improvising in classical music and jazz, and getting better at focused listening (01:40), going to George Mason University (VA) for undergrad (22:30), attending …

Percussionist, Educator, and Composer/Arranger Pablo Rieppi stops by to talk about his roles with the New York City Ballet Orchestra, subbing with the New York Philharmonic, Percussion on the Sound (P.O.T.S.), The Nutcracker, and playing the same repertoire over and over (03:00), the teaching portion of his career and pivoting to take younger percu…

Owner and Creator of SplatBoomBang! Percussive Storytelling and Los Angeles-based Freelancing Percussionist Cory Hills stops by to discuss his PASIC 2023 presentation and getting into Percussive Storytelling (02:00), living in Los Angeles, Freelancing, and making Percussive Storytelling a business (22:00), his experiences with the Los Angeles Percu…

Bloomsburg University (Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania) Percussion Professor and Band Director Gifford Howarth stops by to talk about the PASIC 2023 Keyboard Committee Panel he moderated on Front Ensemble Rehearsal Engagement (05:35), his percussion activities at Bloomsburg, his adjudication responsibilities and being an artist/clinician (2…

Percussionist, Composer, Educator, and Creator and Lead Performer of Ideas Not Theories Reynaliz Herrera stops by to talk about her recent PASIC 2023 panel appearance with the PAS Diversity Alliance on Neurodivergent Percussionists (03:10), Ideas Not Theories, writing music for bicycle, and how she works theatrically and musically with her group (1…

Sound Art Curator, Co-Founder of the Upstrike Project, and Freelancing Percussionist Karen Yu stops by to talk about her PASIC 2023 performance in the New Music Research Sessions and the piece’s relationship to Hong Kong today (03:10), her work as a Freelancing Percussionist in Hong Kong with the HK New Music Ensemble and the UpStrike Project (16:0…

Percussionist, Tabla Player, Freelancer, Author, and College Professor Shawn Mativetsky stops by to talk about his recent PASIC 2023 presentation on playing tabla with effects pedals (03:10), his percussion activities and responsibilities in Montreal and at McGill University (CA), teaching tabla ensemble, his book Rudimentaal , and his regular ense…

University of Virginia Associate Professor of Percussion and Principal Timpanist and Percussionist for the Charlottesville Symphony I-Jen Fang stops by [after Pete learns how to say her name at (03:00)] to discuss her recent PASIC 2023 performance for the New Music Research day with Greg Beyer (04:00), her percussion responsibilities at UVA and Cha…

University of Northern Colorado Percussion Professor Tim Feerst returns to discuss his recent PASIC 2023 clinic on Multi-Percussion FUNdamentals (03:20), his new job at UNC, the playing opportunities in the Denver area, and the change of scenery from Texas (18:30), and a shorter version of the Random Ass Questions, including segments on rewatching …