Ensemble Biography at bottom of page
Meet our Studio:
Colby Snider, Senior
Memphis, Tennessee
Colby Snider is a Senior 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 Robert 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. Additionally, he also attended the 2011 Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar. Colby currently studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill
Keegan Paluso, Senior
Munford, Teneessee
Keegan Paluso is currently in his fifth year at UT Martin. He is studying music education with a percussion emphasis with Dr.Julie Hill. In his time at UT Martin he has studied from such artists and clinicians as: Paul Rennick, Tim Maynard, Mike Macintosh, Drew Guy, John Tafoya, Tom Burrit, Kevin Bobo, Maraca2 Percussion duo, Andy Harnsburger, Andrew Bliss, Mike Gould, John Parks, James Ross, Jim Riley, and Anders Astrand. He has also done instructional work at the following schools: Munford High School, Brentwood High School, McNairy Central High School, Ripley High School, Gibson County High School, Liberty Technical Magnet High School, and Goodpasture Christian School. As well as his various hiring for supplemental education, Keegan has performed on numerous instruments in various bands on the popular music scene. Some of the current titles of projects he is involved with are: Cobra Cats, Daniel Musgrave and the Do Rite Daddies, Badlands Radio, and Stella Ruth. Various recordings of these have been featured on radio stations 105.7 The Quake in Union City, TN and Froggy 104.1 in Jackson, TN. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career as a performing musician and an educator.
Jeff Moore, Senior
Dyersburg, Tennessee
Jeff Moore is currently a senior music education major at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Jeff has performed in various music ensembles including the Marching, Jazz, and percussion ensemble at Martin and has also performed a variety of musicals with the Bethel University Renaissance program. Jeff is the former percussionist of the alternative rock band One Less Reason from Jackson, TN. Through One Less Reason Jeff was able to tour all over the country opening for acts such as 3 doors down, Fuel, and Hinder which allowed him to become a Vic Firth drumstick artist and an artist for the C and C custom drum shop. As of now Jeff is finishing his bachelors in music education with Dr. Julie Hill, where he plans to continue to make teaching and performing the driving force in his life.
James Fout, Senior
Memphis, Tennessee
James Fout is majoring in Performance-Instrumental Pedagogy with an emphasis in percussion. He aspires to be a performing musician as well as a private instructor. 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. He has had many excellent teachers including Robert Kessling, Mike Karcz, Dr. Frank Schaffer, Stan Head, and Brandon Kelly. He has performed in the UNT Percussion Ensemble directed by Christopher Deane. He has also performed in concert with Ney Rosauro, as a member of the UofM Percussion Ensemble, and with Dr. Andy Harnsberger, alongside two other UT-Martin percussionists. James has attended masterclasses instructed by Anders Astrand, Keiko Abe, She-e Wu, Nebojsa Zivkovic, Douglass Howard, Garwood Whaley, Jose’ Aponte, Ney Rosauro, Thomas Burritt, and others. He has taught at Peabody High School in Trenton, Tn for two summers. He is currently studying percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Micaiah Radcliffe, Senior
Nashville, Tennessee
Micaiah is a senior 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 drum line. Micaiah works with the percussion sections of Jackson Southside High School, and Union City High School. Micaiah studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill.
Katie McClain, Senior
Selmer, Tennessee
Katie McClain is currently a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she is working on her Bachelors of Arts in Music with an emphasis in percussion. Upon graduating from McNairy Central High School, where she actively participated in the band program and several ensembles, Katie decided to follow her passions to U.T. Martin and the studio of Dr. Julie Hill. Since arriving at Martin, she has enjoyed many opportunities for ensembles the Music Department and Percussion Studio have had to offer, including: Marching Band, University Singers, and Percussion Ensemble. Other joys have been found in the master classes from guest artists the Percussion Studio has hosted such as Kevin Bobo, Maraca2, Tom Burritt, and many more. She has also been to percussion conferences such as Percussive Arts Society International Convention and the North American Frame Drum Association. At NAFDA, she got the pleasure of interviewing the guest artists for her senior project in the spring which will cover frame drums. Some of the instructors she interviewed include David Kuckhermann and N. Scott Robinson. Katie has instructed many students through private lessons in percussion and piano and has recently worked with McNairy Central High School’s front ensemble. Upon graduation, Katie hopes to continue building her private studio and developing her duo with felllow studio member Jennifer Hotz.
Kerry Durso, Senior
Nashville, Tennessee
Kerry Durso is a senior music education major at UT Martin. After participating in the Father Ryan High School Drum Line in Nashville, TN, for four years and competing at the local and national levels at BOA and WGI, she decided to continue her percussion study at UTM. Having decided to major in music education, Kerry has studied with Dr. Julie Hill and has taught summer camps at McNairy Central High School, Father Ryan High School, and Union City High School. In 2011 she played marimba for Gateway Indoor Percussion in WGI and Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps in DCI. She is Vice President Membership of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity and proud to be a member of the UTM Percussion Studio family.
Sean Johnson, Senior
Nashville, 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 and clinics 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, Robert Kessling, Rafael Pereira, Colin Campbell, Mike McIntosh, Zoro, Christopher Deane, Derico Watson, and John Parks. Sean also performed Mexico two years ago at the PercuSonidos International Festival. In the summer of 2011, Sean was a volunteer instructor at the Delta Girls Rock Camp an Hutchinson School in Memphis.
Josh Spaulding, Junior
Johnson City, Tennessee
Josh Spaulding is a junior at the University of Tennessee Martin working on his undergraduate degree in Music Education. At UTM, he is a member of the UTM Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, and the Skyhawk Marching Band. In addition, he is a current member of the Jamaica Me Happy Steel Band Group as well as the head sound engineer and media librarian for the UTM Percussion Studio. He placed 5th in the 2009 PASIC high school marimba competition, and recently competed in the 2012 PASIC collegiate marimba competition with high results. Josh has had the honor of participating in the 2011 and the 2012 Nief Norf Summer Festival at Furman University, and performing in Salvador de Bahia in Brazil with the UTM Percussion Studio. Mr. Spaulding has had numerous opportunities where he has worked with world-class percussionists such as Mark Ford, Christopher Deane, She-e Wu, Brian Zater, James Campbell, Andy Harnesburger, Thomas Burritt, Paul Rennick, She-e Wu, Omar Carmenates, Mike Truesdell, Bill Salik, John Tafoya, Josh Smith, Marcus Reddick, Nebojsa Zivkovic, Anders Astrand, John Toomey, 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 former teachers include Mr. Dan McGuire, Mr. Jason Carpenter, and Dr. Andy Bliss. Josh is a member of the Syncro Percussion Duo and the Music Director for the Aesthetic Percussion Group. He is currently working on repertoire for Syncro as well as putting together a recording project composed of self-composed and commissioned works for marimba and vibraphone. Josh has recent success as a composer. The Four Stikx Clarinet Quarteta on their Summer 2012 tour of Thailand performed his work, “Conversial Hairbows” for clarinet quartet. The Ebanyoung Quartet premiered “Conversial Hairbows” in Italy in August of 2012. In addition, his piano solo, “Dance to Joy” and his brass quartet “Onward” will be premiered at the University of Tennessee Martin in the Fall of 2012. He is also currently writing a commission for the UTM Undersound Ensemble, which will be premiered in the Spring or Fall of 2013. Josh currently studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill, and he is currently teaching percussion at Huntingdon High School in Huntingdon, TN as well as serving as the Front Ensemble Instructor for the Westview High School Marching Band in Martin, TN. Josh is an active member of PAS, NAfME, and SCI.
Rachel Steiner, Junior
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Rachel Steiner is currently a third year student at the University of Tennessee at Martin where she is majoring in Instrumental Music Education with an emphasis in percussion. She also takes piano lessons with the Department Chair, Dr. Elaine Harriss. Her previous instructors include: Julie Davila, Andy Smith, Amy Smith, Meagan Hills, Phil Morgan, Matt Jordan, Sean Womack, and Tim Hale. Rachel is a graduate of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, TN. 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 served as one of Ravenwood High School Band's front ensemble instructors in 2010, and she taught Union City High School's Front Ensemble this past summer. She marched in the Phantom Regiment Front Ensemble in the summer of 2011. Rachel studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill. After graduation, she plans to teach and gain experience before going on to graduate school for a Masters of Education degree.
Rick Drewry, Junior
Smyrna, Tennessee
Rick Drewry is currently a third year student in the UT Martin Percussion Studio and is pursuing a degree in Music Education with a minor in Japanese Language and Culture. Rick graduated from Smyrna High School (under the direction of Richard Lutz) located in Smyrna, Tennessee where he represented his high school in the MTSBOA Midstate Honor Band, Orchestra, and Jazz Band. He was a Middle Tennessee percussion representative for the Tennessee All State Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, winning the honor of 1st chair. 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. In addition to his studies Rick has also experience in recording and as an educator, serving as Smyrna High School's 2010 front ensemble instructor and arranger, a private instructor, and is currently the percussion teacher at Trenton Rosenwald Middle School. In the summer of 2011, Rick had the opportunity of working at Innovative Percussion as a mallet/stick manufacturer, and in the summer of 2012, Rick had the extreme honor of performing with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the front ensemble. Along with his musical endeavors, Rick serves in UT Martin's Student Government Association as Senator for the College of Humanities and Fine Arts, is the Committee Chairman of Multicultural Affairs, and resides on the Chancellor's University Council as well as the Equity and Diversity Advisory Council. 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 its cultures. Rick is so proud to say that he studies percussion with the wonderfully amazing Dr. Julie Hill.
Will Kwasigroh, Junior
Newbern, Tennessee
Will Kwasigroh is a Junior 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. Will traveled with the UTM Percussion Studio in the summer of 2011 to Brazil where he took lessons in Brazilian Percussion, Performed a concert with a local Percussion Studio, and also took lesson in the national fighting/dance style. He is currently a marching band staff member at South Gibson County High School, where he teaches drumline during marching season. He studies percussion with Dr. Julie Hill
Michael Kidd, Sophomore
Memphis, Tennessee
Michael Kidd is a third 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.
Jennifer Hotz, Sophomore
Naperville, Illinois
Jennifer is currently a sophomore studying Music Education. She graduated from Naperville Central High School (under the direction of D.J. Alstadt and Brandon Estes). There she participated in Drumshow for two years as well as the Naperville District 203 Steelband, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band and Pit Orchestra. At college Jennifer participates in the Percussion ensemble, University Singers, Concert Band and Marching Band. She attended the NAFDA 2012 camp as well as masterclasses by She-e Wu, Keith Aleo, Nebojsa Zivkovic and many others. She has had the honor to perform with Dr. Greg Beyer, Jeff Stitely and Jim Riley. Her teachers include: Dr. Julie Hill, Ben Wahlund, Maggie Bergren, Yuko Asada, Clarice Castio, Greg Beyer, Jon Quiaoit, Ben Runkel and Brad Stirtz.
Noah Friedman - Sophomore
Bedford County, Tennessee
Noah Friedman is a sophomore member of the UT Martin’s Percussion Studio. He graduated from Community High School from Bedford County. His previous lesson teachers include: Julie Davila, Lalo Davila, David Walker, Matt Jordan, and Mark Wilson. He participated in Community High’s Symphonic Wind Symphony and Jazz Band. He has also participated in All-Middle Tennessee Honor Bands, Wind Band Conference, and All-State Honor Band. Other extracurricular ensembles were Percussion XS and Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra. Noah has auditioned successfully into the UT Martin Wind Ensemble both years at UTM (having served as Principal in his first year). He plans to continue his education and receive his masters degree in Music Education.
Katherine Felthauser, Sophomore
Clarksville, Tennessee
Katherine Felthauser is a second year student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. She is an instrumental music education major. Katherine graduated from Northwest High School in Clarksville, TN. She has had the honor to perform with Music City Mystique and Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps as a member of the front ensemble. Katherine now studies under Dr. Julie Hill.
Michael Fountain, First Year
New Madrid, Missouri
Michael Fountain is a first-year member in the UTM Percussion Studio. He graduated from New Madrid, Missouri High School. His previous percussion teacher was Ryan Blockerl. Michael has performed in six countries in Europe with the music ensemble, Sound of America. He has also participated in Missouri Honor band, Quad State, and solo and ensemble competitions. Michael plans to major in music education and enhance his education by traveling and playing music all over the world.
Justin Lee, First Year
Clarksville, Tennessee
Justin Lee is in his first year at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He graduated from Middle College at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. He also attended Northwest High School in Clarksville, TN. While there had the opportunity to be a part of Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, and continues to march with Music City Mystique and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble member. He is now studying under Dr. Hill and plans to expand his horizons as a percussionist, musician, and educator.
Jerry Emmons, First Year
Selmer, Tennessee
Jerry Emmons is a first year Music Education major at UT Martin. Jerry attended high school at McNairy Central High School where his instructor was UTM Percussion Studio Alumnus, Daniel Vargason. Jerry has attended the UT Martin Honor Band and Honor Percussion Ensemble, the All-West TN Honor Band, and the All-State TN Honor Band
multiple times throughout high school. When he's not drumming, Jerry enjoys the visual arts and the occasional round of golf. Jerry now studies percussion under Dr.Hill.
Della Coleman, First Year
Clarksville, Tennessee
Della Coleman is currently a first year student at UT Martin studying Music Education with an emphasis on percussion. Della graduated from Northwest High School, located in Clarksville, Tennessee. She was involved in marching band and concert band under the direction of Mr.Kelly and Mr.Jackson. During the summer of her sophomore year she was accepted into Governor’s School for the Arts 2010, where she was under the instruction of Andy Smith. Della participated in the Northwest High School Indoor Scholastic Open Class Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Jamie Millis in 2010. She studied percussion with Carlos Johnson during her high school career. Della has attended master classes/ worked with Eric Willie, Andy Harnsberger, and the Caixa Trio. Della is currently studying with Dr.Julie Hill.
Additional Percussion Ensemble Members:
Zach Congiardo, Sophomore
Tommy Sam, Junior
Patricio Alvarado - Honorary Member
Tampico, Mexico
Pato is an off site member of the studio, but an integral part of the team. Pato freelances in Tampico where he studies at Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas where he studies with Professor Evaristo Aguilar.
Ensemble Biography
The University of Tennessee at Martin Percussion Ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Julie Hill. The ensemble is diverse in scope, specializing in contemporary and world percussion music of all types.
The University of Tennessee at Martin percussion ensemble has performed internationally at the PercuSonidos International Percussion Festival in Tampico, Mexico, the Universidad Federal (UFBA) in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, and regionally on numerous occasions at the Tennessee Music Educators Conference.
In addition, the ensemble provides West and Middle Tennessee communities with a number of educational clinic and concert opportunities including the Roots of Rhythm Presentations. The mission of the UTM Percussion ensemble is to promote diversity and tolerance of cultural differences through music.
The UTM Percussion Ensemble has collaborated with world renown artists such as Nebojsa Zivkovic, Thomas Burritt, Bret Kuhn, Keith Aleo, Zoro, Anders Astrand, Michael Gould, James Campbell, Miles Osland, Steve Houghton, Paul Renick, Ney Rosauro, the Caixa Trio, James Ross, Brian Mason, John Parks, Michael McIntosh, Glen Caruba, and Matt Savage.
History:
The UTM Percussion ensemble was founded in the fall of 1969 and experienced 36 years of growth and excellence under the direction of Professor Nancy Mathesen. Dr. Julie Hill came to UTM in the fall of 2005 after Prof. Mathesen's retirement. Dr. Hill strives to teach contemporary and world percussion styles through the diverse literature performed by the percussion ensemble.
Graduates:
UTM graduates have secured successful teaching careers in public schools and at colleges such as the University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Louisville, San Jose State University. Recent graduates have pursued their Master Of Music degrees in Percussion and Music Therapy and have received Graduate Teaching Assistantships to universities such as the University of Kentucky, University of Wisconsin (Madison), Appalachia State University, and Central Arkansas University. Another graduate has recently been named mayor of a West TN town.
