UTM Percussion Society Officers:
Kerry Durso - President
Keegan Paluso - Vice President
Hamilton Moore - Secretary
Dennis Youngblood - Treasurer
Colby Snider - Media Librarian
Meet our Members:
Stephen Hughes, Senior
Brighton, Tennessee
Stephen Hughes is a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he is majoring in Instrumental Music Education. At Martin, he has been in the Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, University Singers and Steel Band. In 2008 and 2009, he was a section leader for the UT Martin Skyhawk Marching Band. Stephen has attended clinics with notable percussionists such as James Campbell, Leigh Howard Stevens, Michael Burritt, James Ross, Brad Meyer, Kevin Bobo, John Parks and Gordon Stout. Additionally, he studied privately with Stan Head and Robert Kessling of Memphis, Tennessee. Stephen has taught the Brighton High School and Huntington High School Front Ensembles. He also has been a percussion instructor at Peabody High School which included teaching of Drumline and Front Ensemble. Stephen is a recent graduate of the 31st Annual Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar. He currently studies with Dr. Julie Hill and is pursuing aspirations for graduate school.
Cory Bozard, Senior
Newbern, Tennessee
Cory Bozard is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he is majoring in Instrumental Music Performance with emphasis on percussion. He has served as a member of the UTM Percussion Ensemble, Steel Band, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble. Cory is a graduate of Dyer County High School where he participated in the marching, concert, jazz, and pep bands for four years. He has performed with the All-West Tennessee Concert and Jazz bands, the All-State Concert band, the UTM Honor Percussion Ensemble, and the Dyersburg State Community Orchestra. Cory has served as the percussion instructor for Dyersburg High School and Dyer County High School. He is currently a member of the small steel band ensemble Jamaica Me Happy. Cory has studied percussion with Chad Davis, Adrian Baker, and Nancy Mathesen as well as attended clinics with James Campbell, Matt Savage, B Michael Williams, Michael Gould, Zoro, Bill Bachman, Ney Rosauro, Brian Mason, James Ross , and Mark Ford. He is currently studying percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Andrew Lynn, Senior
Gibson, Tennessee
Andrew Lynn is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he is majoring in Music Education with an emphasis in percussion. He has performed with the UTM percussion ensemble, steel band, marching band, wind ensemble, jazz band, and the collegiate Gospel choir. Andrew has performed as a guest artist in Tampico, Mexico also assisting in a marching band clinic supporting exchange between the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas and UT Martin. In 2010 Andrew judged West Tennessee Society Bands of America (WTSBOA) solo and ensemble competition for Junior high and high school students from all over West Tennessee. Andrew has studied percussion with Adrian Baker, Nancy Mathesen, and Brian Price. He studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Sean Johnson, Senior
Memphis, Tennessee
Sean is a music education major at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Sean was born and raised in West Virginia. In Morgantown, WV, became interested in percussion by learning African drumming from an early age. Sean is currently studying percussion with Dr. Julie Hill. In 2008, the UTM percussion ensemble perform at Tennessee Tech. Sean has participated in masterclasses with J.B. Smith, Andy and Erin Bliss, Dr. Michael Gould, Evaristo Aguilar, Jim Campbell, B. Michael Williams, Tom Roady, Ney Rosauro, Brian Mason, James Ross, Dan Moore, and John Parks. Sean also performed Mexico last year at the PercuSonidos International Festival.
Colby Snider, Junior (UTMPS Media Librarian)
Memphis, Tennessee
Colby Snider is a Junior at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he is majoring as an Instrumental Music Performance major with an emphasis on percussion. He is a member of the Skyhawk Marching Band, the UTM Wind Ensemble, the UTM Percussion Ensemble, the UTM World Percussion Ensemble, and the UTM Steel Band. He also plays lead pan with the professional steel pan group, Jamaica Me Happy. Colby is a graduate of Bolton High School where he was a member of the school’s marching band and symphonic band. He has performed with the All West Tennessee bands and orchestra, the All State Band and Orchestra, Memphis Youth Symphony, UT Martin Honors Percussion Ensemble, Germantown Symphony, and community concert bands. Colby has studied percussion with Rober Kessling, Frank Shaffer, and Mika Karcz. He has attended masterclassses or clinics with James Ross, Ted Atkatz, Eric Sammut, Nancy Zeltsman, James Campbell, Kevin Bobo, Brian Mason, Maraca2, Brian Nozny, John Beck, Davy Anderson, and others. Colby currently studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Keegan Paluso, Junior (UTMPS Vice President)
Munford, Tennessee
Keegan Paluso is currently in his third year of percussion study with Dr. Julie Hill. He spent four years in the Munford High School marching percussion section, and one year in the jazz band. Keegan is now in his second year as a percussion instructor of the Gibson County High School percussion section. Upon graduation he intends to go to graduate school, and become a youth minister.
Daniel Houston, Junior
Jackson, Teneessee
Daniel Houston is a third year music education major with an emphasis in percussion. He graduated from North Side High School in 2007. In high school, Daniel played the drum set in the jazz band as well as in the pit for musical plays in the theatre department. He was the percussion section leader his junior and senior years of high school. Daniel has served as the percussion instructor for North Side and Gibson County High Schools, and Medina Middle School. Daniel has been teaching private percussion lessons for two yearsl. He is a member of the UTM marching band and percussion ensemblse. Daniel studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Hamilton Moore, Junior (UTMPS Secretary)
Memphis, Tennessee
Hamilton Moore is a Music Performance Major at the University of Tennessee at Martin with an emphasis in percussion. Hamilton’s previous instructors include: Robert Kessling. Ed Murray and Stan Head. Hamilton currently studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill. Hamilton attended First Assembly Christian School where he was the percussion section leader for his sophomore, Junior and senior years of high school. In 2006 Hamilton was a member of the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps.
In the fall of 2008, Hamilton toured Mexico with the UT Martin Percussion Studio.
James Fout, Junior
Memphis, Tennessee
James Fout is currently a junior at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he is majoring in Instrumental Music Education with an emphasis on percussion. James graduated from Germantown High School. During his senior year, he represented Germantown in the 2006 Tennessee All State Orchestra, where he placed first chair. James has previously attended the University of North Texas and the University of Memphis, receiving instruction from both universities as a Music Education major. He has had many excellent teachers including Robert Kessling, Mike Karcz, Dr. Frank Schaffer, Stan Head, and Brandon Kelly. He performed in the 1 o’clock UNT Percussion Ensemble directed by Christopher Deane, performed in concert with Ney Rosauro as a member of the UofM Percussion Ensemble, and studied percussion methods with Mark Ford. James has attended masterclasses instructed by Keiko Abe, Keith Carlock, Billy Cobham, Douglass Howard, Garwood Whaley, Jose’ Aponte, Ney Rosauro, and Kai Stensgaard. He is currently studying percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Kerry Durso, Sophomore (UTMPS President)
Nashville, Tennessee
Kerry Durso is a second-year music education major at UT Martin. She decided to continue her percussion study after participating in the Father Ryan High School Drumline in Nashville, TN, for four years and competing at the local and national levels at BOA and WGI. Having decided to major in music education, Kerry has studied with Dr. Julie Hill and has expanded her love and knowledge of percussion immensely in her time at UTM. She has taught two summer camps at McNairy Central High School in Selmer, TN and one at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, TN, and hopes to return and teach them again next summer.
Katie McClain, Sophomore
Selmer, Tennessee
Katie McClain is a second-year music education major at UT Martin with an emphasis in percussion. She graduated from McNairy Central High School after participating in the band program for five years and decided to pursue her passions of percussion and teaching. She is an active participant in many things the music department has to offer including leading the UTM Skyhawk Marching Band front ensemble and singing in the Voice Studio Recital. Through the years, she has given private lessons in percussion and piano. She studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Micaiah Radcliff, Sophomore
Nashville, Tennessee
Micaiah is a sophomore music education major from Spring Hill, Tennessee. He graduated from Independence High school in 2009 and came to Martin to continue to learn more about percussion and music. In High School he participated in the wind ensemble, marching band, and winter drumline. The past two summers he has been a member of Music City Drum and Bugle Corps out of Nashville, TN. Micaiah studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Dustin Lutz, Sophomore
Paris, Tennessee
Dustin is a second year percussion student majoring in Music Education at UT Martin. He recently graduated from Henry County High School in Paris, TN. Dustin was in the All West TN band his senior year. He has instructed band camps at Hopkinsville High School, Henry County High School, and Bolivar Central High School. Dustin studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Dennis Youngblood, Sophomore (UTMPS Treasurer)
Memphis, Tennessee
Dennis is a second yearmusic performance major at UT Martin. He graduated from White Station High School in 2009.Dennis loves all aspects of music and percussion andaspires to specialize in orchestral percussion. Dennis studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Rick Drewry, First Year
Smyrna, Tennessee
Rick Drewry is currently a first year student in the UT Martin Percussion Studio and is pursuing a degree in Music Education. Rick is from Smyrna High School (under the direction of Richard Lutz) located in Smyrna, Tennessee where he represented his high school in MTSBOA Midstate Honor Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band and was a Middle Tennessee percussion representative for the All State Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. In addition to his regional honor band, Rick was active in other Honor Band Programs such as Middle Tennessee State University's Wind Band Conference and Tennessee Technological University's Festival of Winds and Percussion; as well as other programs such as Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, Southeast Wind Chamber Institute, and Percussion XS (under the direction of Julie Davila and John Hearnes). Rick has also studied extensively with wonderful educators such as: Tim Hale, Keith Dudek, and Andy Smith; and has attended master classes instructed by She-e Wu, Bill Bachman, and Eric Willey. In addition to his studies Rick has also experience in recording and served as an educator, serving as Smyrna High School's 2010 front ensemble instructor and arranger and as a private instuctor. Rick's ultimate goal is to travel and study the world's vast plethera of music to better understand the world we live in and it's cultures. Rick studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Zachary McCoy, First Year
Trenton, Tennessee
Zachary McCoy is currently a first year percussion student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Zachary is a percussion music performance major, proudly studying with Dr. Julie Hill. Zachary is a graduate of Peabody High School, where he participated in the marching band, concert band, and jazz band. During his high school career, Zachary has also been active in the UTM Honor Percussion Ensemble at the UTM Honor Band four times, the All West Band (including the Wind Ensemble) and Orchestra six times, All State Band twice (2008 and 2009), and the All State Orchestra (2010) once his senior year, where he served principal percussionist. Zachary attended the Governor's School for the Arts, also as principal percussionist, in the summer of 2008, studying under Mr. Andy Smith. The following summer, 2009, Zachary went to the internationally-acclaimed Sewanee Summer Music Festival, studying under Dr. Michael Bump. The summer after, 2010, he returned to Sewanee to study under John Kilkenny, Dr. Kris Keeton, and Dr. Frank Shaffer. Zachary has been under more than 45 batons to-date, some of which from nationally- and internationally-acclaimed conductors such as: Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel of the United States Air Force Band, Maestro James Paul, Bruce Dinkins, Maestra Miriam Burns, Ben Rous, Kenneth Kiesler, Bridget Reischl, David Loebel, and Dr. Michael Haithcock . Zachary has also been a member of the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra for four years and has attended the Jackson Summer Music Camp for three years. While Zachary has taught privately to younger students of percussion, Zachary has also served as a percussion instructor for South Gibson County High School, Dyersburg High School, and Trenton Rosenwald Middle School. After completing his Bachelor of Music degree in music performance, Zachary plans to pursue a Master of Music degree in conducting, as well as a Doctor of Music degree in conducting.
Rachel Steiner, First Year
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Rachel Steiner is currently a first year student at the University of Tennessee at Martin where she is majoring in Instrumental Music Education with an emphasis in percussion. Her previous instructors include: Julie Davila, Andy Smith, Amy Smith, and Tim Hale. Rachel is a graduate of Riverdale High School where she participated in the marching and concert band for four years and the jazz ensemble for three. She has performed in the Tennessee All-State Band and All-State Orchestra as well as the Mid-State Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band during her high school career. She has also been a part of the UTM Honor Percussion Ensemble and the Tennessee Valley Winds. She is currently serving as one of Ravenwood High School Band's front ensemble instructors. Rachel studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to receive her masters degree in music therapy.
Josh Spaulding, First Year
Johnson City, Tennessee
Josh Spaulding is a first year student at the University of Tennessee Martin working on his undergraduate degree in Music Education. Before attending UT Martin, Josh graduated from Science Hill High School where he was a member of the East Tennessee Youth Wind Ensemble, the Science Hill Wind Ensemble, the Science Hill Jazz Ensemble, and the Science Hill Percussion Ensemble. Josh has played in Carnegie Hall with the Science Hill Symphonic Band in 2007, and he recently marched in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade with the Science Hill Marching Band. Also, he placed 5th in the PAS High School Marimba Competition at PASIC 2009 in Indianapolis, IN. Josh has also had numerous opportunities where he has worked with world-class percussionists such as Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, She-e Wu, Brian Zater, Eric Willie, Amy Smith, and Julie Davila. Josh is an alumnus of the 2008 Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts where he was instructed by Mr. Andy Smith. Josh’s other teachers include Mr. Dan McGuire, Dr. Carson Vermillion, Mr. Tom Stites, Mr. Mark Foster, and Mr. Jason Carpenter. Josh studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill
Tommy Sam, First Year
McKenzie, Tennessee
Tommy Sam is a first year music education major at UT Martin. He attended McKenzie High School and has participated in both the UTM Honor Band and the All-West Tennessee Honor Band. He marched two seasons of drum corps in 2008 and 2009 with the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps and taught band camps in the summer of 2010 for Liberty Technology Magnet High School and McKenzie High School. Tommy studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Will Kwasigroh, First Year
Newbern, Tennessee
CWill Kwasigroh is a first year student at UT Martin. He is a Music Education with an emphasis in percussion. He was section leader of the Dyer County High School percussion section his junior and senior years. He was a member of the Dyersburg Community Orchestra throughout his high school career. Will earned a position in the All West TN Honor Band his senior year of high school. He studies percussion with Dr. Hill
Michael Kidd, First Year
Memphis, Tennessee
Michael Kidd is a first year student at the University of Tennessee Martin majoring in Instrumental Music Education. He graduated from Bolton High School in May 2010. In high school, Michael was in the concert band for four years and the jazz band for three. He participated in All-West 2010 and made sixth chair Wind Ensemble.Michael has taken part of the University of Memphis honor band in 2009 and 2010. His former instructor was Robert Kessling. Michael studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill
Jeff Moore, Senior
Dyersburg, Tennessee
Jeff Moore is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill. He has performed with the percussion ensemble, world ensemble, steel band, wind ensemble, and the marching band. He has also been a member “Jamaica Me Happy” for two years (a professional steel band ensemble). Jeff has assisted in educating Waverly High School marching band for the past three years as well as UTM honor band and UTM tune up day for three years. He has performed in Mexico where he also assisted in a marching band clinic supporting exchange between the the Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas and UT Martin. In the spring of 2009, Jeff performed a duo recital which included his own arrangement for drum set, bass guitar, and piano entitled "Trio 4/3". Jeff has also participated in the UTM jazz ensemble. Jeff is a former percussionist for East of Innocence, a 5 piece modern rock group that has shared the stage with several well known groups such as, Saving Abel, Framing Hanley, and 12 Stones. Upon graduating UTM, Jeff plans to pursue a drum set focused Masters degree.
