ABOUT The Diversity Alliance Panel Session Title: Challenging Expectations: Writing Your Own Narrative Taku Hirano was born in Osaka, Japan and raised in the United States. Trained in classical, jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, African, Indian and Japanese percussion, Taku’s touring and recording credits include Fleetwood Mac, Dr. Dre, Whitney Houston, John Mayer, Stevie Nicks, Bette Midler…
ABOUT Power House Arranging Session Title: Power House Arranging Paul Rennick is Associate Professor in Percussion at the University of North Texas where he has served on the faculty since 1991. A leading figure in the world of marching percussion and percussion education, Paul has a long history of successful students and renowned performing ensembles,…
ABOUT The World Panel SESSION TITLE: Afro-Colombian Marimba de Chonta Music from the South Pacific Region: Roots, Reach and Evolution Laura Stephany Cohen (moderator/organizer) is a Latin and classical percussionist and educator from Cali, Colombia. Growing up in Cali has led her to research and perform traditional music from Colombia and LATAM. She finds it…
ABOUT The Marching Panel Session Title: Backstage All Access to Judging Marching Percussion Julie Davila is a renowned percussionist, performer, music educator and clinician specializing in concert and marching percussion. She was inducted in to the WGI Percussion Hall of Fame in 2014, in recognition of more than 30 years contributing to the marching arts…
ABOUT The U.S. Army Blues SESSION TITLE: The U.S. Army Blues The U.S. Army Blues, part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” is the premier jazz ensemble of the US Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 19-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. The Army Blues strive…
ABOUT Stefon Harris & Blackout SESSION TITLE: Stefon Harris & Blackout Stefon Harris & Blackout, led by the visionary vibraphonist Stefon Harris, is a pioneering force in contemporary jazz. Harris has been named DownBeat Critics Poll Vibraphonist of the Year multiple times and has been heralded as “one of the most important young artists in…
ABOUT Antonio Sánchez & Bad Hombre with Thana Alexa, BIGYUKI & Lex Sadler SESSION TITLE: Antonio Sánchez & Bad Hombre Born in Mexico City, four-time GRAMMY Award-winner Antonio Sánchez began playing the drums at age five and commenced performing professionally in his early teens in Mexico’s rock, jazz and Latin scenes. He pursued a degree…
ABOUT Jerry Tachoir SESSION TITLE: Create a Richer Sound on Mallet Percussion through Chord Voicings VIRTUAL SESSION DATE & TIME: Coming soon… Jerry Tachoir, a renowned vibraphonist/clinician for Bergerault, has left an indelible mark on the world of music with his exceptional talent and unique approach to the vibraphone. Born with an innate musicality, Tachoir…
ABOUT Rob Mitzner SESSION TITLE: Dial in Your Drum Sound to Make the Music Feel Great VIRTUAL SESSION DATE & TIME: Coming soon… New York-based drummer Rob Mitzner has recorded for Billboard Top-10 charting albums, films, and Broadway shows and recently appeared on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers as the guest drummer with the 8G Band….
ABOUT Héctor Tascón SESSION TITLE: Afro-Colombian Marimba Music Transformed: Sounds of ChontaPresenting with Laura Stephany Cohen Gonzalez Héctor Tascón, born in Cali, Colombia has focused his work on the study of percussion and on the traditional music of the South Pacific region of Colombia. The marimbas, currulao rhythm, traditional Colombian legends, and Afro-Colombian dances are at the center…
