Principal Timpanist - The Naples Philharmonic John Evans is currently Principal Timpanist with The Naples Philharmonic. He received a B.M.E. degree from The Ohio State University and a M.M. degree from Temple University, where he was a student of Alan Abel, former associate principal percussionist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, and served as timpanist/ principal percussionist with the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus. Evans has appeared as soloist with the Naples Philharmonic, the Pasadena Symphony, the Tallahassee Symphony, the Knightwind Ensemble of Milwaukee, the Ohio State University Symphony, and the Naples Philharmonic Baroque Ensemble. He has also served as an arranger and instructor for the Star of Indiana Drum and...
Percussion Professor - Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico José Alicea Espada has had an outstanding and varied career in and out of Puerto Rico. He has degrees from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, University of Indiana and the University of New York. In the seventies he worked as the main percussionist of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist with Ravi Shankar. For eight consecutive years he was part of a select group of Puerto Rican musicians who belonged to the Original Orchestra of the Casals Festival. He was part of the Miguelito Miranda and Mario Ortiz show orchestras, among others, in the large hotel chains of Puerto Rico. For several years he was...
Section Principal Timpanist - New Zealand Symphony Orchestra American-born timpanist and percussionist Larry Reese is a graduate of The Juilliard School in New York and The Royal College of Music in London. He has been the Section Principal Timpanist of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 1998. Larry has performed around the world as principal timpanist with such ensembles as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Washington Chamber Symphony, The Hallé Orchestra, The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, The Israel Philharmonic, The Philly Pops Orchestra, and The London Philharmonic Orchestra. He has played under such esteemed conductors as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Leonard Bernstein, Osmo Vanska, Eric Leinsdorf, Mariss Jansons, Leonard Slatkin, Vasily Petrenko and David Zinman,...
Studio and Touring Percussionist For over 30 years Eric Darken has worked as a studio and touring percussionist for some of the biggest bands and artists in the world. His artistry, innovation and creative approach to rhythm and sounds is something artists and producers from around the world have called upon him to share. His recording credits read like a “who’s who” including Taylor Swift, BonJovi, Jewel, James Bay, Maren Morris, Bob Seger, Carrie Underwood, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and new artists Carly Pearce and Moon Taxi. The award-winning percussionist has traveled around the world and throughout the United States performing with artists such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Take 6 and Bob Seger. He currently tours with...
Director of Percussion Studies - Concordia College Dr. David P. Eyler has been director of percussion studies at Concordia College since 1987. He is director of the Concordia Percussion Ensemble and Marimba Choir. These two groups have released three compact discs: "Wood, Metal, Skin," "Reckless," and "Christmas Favorites." Before being appointed to the first full-time percussion position at Concordia, Eyler served in the unique position of Tri-College percussionist for the consortium of North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and Concordia College from 1987 to 2000. Eyler has a broad background in both public school and college teaching. He has directed elementary through high school concert and marching bands, university wind ensembles, been assistant conductor of the Louisiana State University Symphony Orchestra, acting director of...
