Percussion   •   Youngstown State University • Dana School of Music

Jessica Allegretto – BA, 2000. Lives in Boardman, OH.

Darren Allen - BME, 2002 –  This is Mr. Allen’s third year as band director at Bay High School and fourth year working in the Bay Village School District, where the music program has been voted a Top 100 Music Community in the United States for six years in a row. Mr. Allen is currently pursuing his master’s degree in music education at Case Western Reserve University. As a guest conductor, he works with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, which performs regularly at Severance Hall. He also frequently performs in area jazz ensembles including the Dukes of Wail, Dan Zola Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and Ernie Krivda & The Fat Tuesday Big Band. Mr. Allen and his wife Alice, a harpist, perform together in the Parma Symphony Orchestra, which had its Severance Hall debut during the 2007 season.

Eddie Allen BM c. 1990 - Freelance percussionist in Paris, France.

Mike Anderson (BME 2008) Mike attended the So Percussion Institute in Princeton, NJ summer 2009. He is presently pursuing the Master of Music at the Harrt School of Music in Connecticut where he studies with Ben Toth. While at YSU, Michael co-founded and was president of the Youngstown State Percussion Collective (formerly the YSU Percussion Federation). During that time, the group organized and hosted the Ohio PAS Day of Percussion, hosted several guest artists/speakers, and commissioned a new work for percussion and saxophone by John Hollenbeck. The resulting piece, Ziggurat (exterior), for five percussionists and four alto saxophonists, was premiered by the group in New York City at the Whitney Museum and can be heard on Hollenbeck’s CD “Rainbow Jimmies.” Michael is currently the percussion instructor at Willoughby South High School in Willoughby, Ohio.

Dean Anshutz - BM, 2008. Has been touring with the Columbus, Ohio based band Red Wanting Blue since January 2010. He has performed in three countries, twenty-five states, and cities such as New York, Nashville, Orlando, Paris, and Dublin. Dean is active recording and composing and has written music for commercials, percussion sections, and other artists in the northeast Ohio area along with recording numerous albums.

Bob Bacha - BME 1993. Bob Bacha is currently musical director for "Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show" and also the 50's tribute band "The Crewcuts". Bob has traveled extensively throughout Japan, Germany and to 46 of 50 states in the U.S. During a 9 year period living in Reno Nv., Bob performed with such celebrities as; Don Wrickles, Steve and Edie Gourmet, Johnny Mathis, Pavarotti, Chuck Mangione, Neil Sedaka and served as temporary section leader of the Reno Philharmonic. Bob is currently living in Youngstown and teaching part time in Lisbon Ohio.

Bob Barnett - BME. Teaches at West Branch High School and is the Principal Timpanist with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.

Tom Barrick – studied with Joseph Parlink for 3 years at YSU and won an audition in the Air Force Band. After 4 years touring with the Air Force Band I have been performing as freelance drumset/percussion in Washington, D.C. I've done numerous gigs at the Kennedy Center, Signature Theatre, The National Theatre, 9:30 club, Black Cat, Smithsonian Jazz series around DC. Toured Europe in 8 countries. Numerous gigs at the Rainbow Room in NYC, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Copacabana, NYC Pub Library, CBGB's, Arlene's Grocery, Knitting Factory..etc. This October my big band is scheduled to headline the Shang Hi Jazz Festival in China for 5 nights! In the past 5 years I've recorded over 12 cds with groups such as my big band The Radio King Orchestra, swing band The Joker's Wild, hard rock band Adam West(3 cds, 24 collectors' vinyl), funk band Truth Groove, Latin band Bossalingo, Chaise Lounge and numerous studio recordings for American's Most Wanted, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet.In D.C. I average 175-200 gigs a year. Recently finished The Paradiddle Workbook that had a great review in October PAS newsletter - on-line.It should be published earlier this year, 2006, but is now available on my site www.no-jive.com.

Chris Bennett - BME 1997, MM 1999. Instrumental music director at Ida High School in Michigan. Served as Band/Percussion Graduate Assistant at YSU. Has performed with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Warren Chamber Orchestra, Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, W. D. Packard Band, Youngstown Playhouse, Canton Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps.

Jason Birch - freelance drumset artist, Morgantown, West Virginia. Jason studied with Glenn at YSU for one year. Jason has been playing drum set for seven years and percussion for ten years. He has studied at Youngstown State University, West Virginia University, and West Liberty State College. While attending YSU, he studied percussion and drum set with Dr. Glenn Schaft. At WVU, he has studied with Al Wrublesky, a specialist in drum set. Jason has performed with various groups such as Jr. Pezz, Real Silk Band, Steel Casa, Johnny Tillotson, and The Crystals. Some of Jason's influences include "Philly" Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, Roy Haynes, Buddy Rich, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Antonio Sanchez, and Allison Miller.

Tarcisio Braga - Serves as professor of percussion at Federal University Uberlândia in Brazil. Tarcisio studied as a performance major for three year at YSU before returning to Brazil where he earned his undergraduate percussion performance degree in 2004 at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and his graduate degree in percussion performance in 2009.

Mario Butera- BM, 2009.   Currently residing in his hometown of Carnegie, Pennsylvania, Mario has taught orchestral percussion with the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (PYPO) since 2005 and is currently serving as Percussion Coordinator and Orchestra Manager.  He has assisted PYPO with three European tours, the most recent of which was a ten-day concert tour of France and Italy in July 2012.  Please visit www.pypo.org for more information.  Mario is also a percussion instructor for the West Allegheny School District (WA) located in Imperial, Pennsylvania.  At WA, Mario instructs the marching band and the percussion ensemble.  In addition to his duties with PYPO and WA, Mario maintains a healthy private percussion studio at Lazier’s Harmony Music Studios located in Harmony, Pennsylvania.  Please visit www.laziers.com for more information.  Mario has been an active member of the Percussive Arts Society since 2005 and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity since 2007.

Ron Coulter – BM-2002, MM 2004. Ron Coulter is currently Senior Lecturer of Percussion Studies and Improvisation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and adjunct Instructor of Percussion at John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL. He has previously taught at Clarion University of Pennsylvania and the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. In 2006 Ron became an Educational Endorser with the Promark Corporation and Black Swamp Percussion.

Ron has been a free-lance percussionist since 1997, performing in a wide range of musical situations from marching percussion to live electronica. As a performer, he has toured nationally and internationally appearing in 41 U.S. states and most major cities in Canada and Japan.He has performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Four Aces, Donadi, Sean Jones, Al Martino, Julia Rich, the Gaylords, New Arts Jazztet, Galen Abdur-Razzaq, Marvin Stamm, Joanne Brackeen, Chuck Mangione, Sony Holland, Maria Schneider, Sandy Duncan, Beat Kastley, Nick Hilscher, Robert Van Sice, Steve Lippia, Dick Johnson, Eric Mandat, Marvin Hamlisch, Rapture 7, and Christina Fontanelli, among many others.Ron has performed at two Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, the International Society for Improvised Music Symposium, the College Music Society National Convention, the Music Educators National Convention (MENC), and numerous state and regional MENC conventions.In 2002 Ron was a finalist in the Percussive Arts Society International Multiple Percussion Competition.He is a co-founder of the Percussion Art Ensemble and the Youngstown Percussion Collective, andin 2005 he founded the Perkusiv Arts Elektronik; an ongoing series of sound events exploring the performance of existing and the creation of new electro-acoustic music, including 69 world premiers to date.Other performance credits include the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Paducah Symphony, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Southern Illinois Music Festival Orchestra, Warren Philharmonic, Warren Packard Band, Altgeld Chamber Players, and the Shenango Valley Lyric Opera.Current interests in interdisciplinary collaboration and non-idiomatic improvisation have led to the creation of the Southern Illinois Improvisation Series (SiiS), organizing Fluxusconcerts, co-founding RED VIXA, and collaborative projects with artists specializing in performance art, video, sound art, and spoken word.The SiiS is a monthly series presenting sound events that explore site-specific work, interdisciplinary collaboration, technology integration, sound installations, sound education, and documentation.As a composer, Ron has created more than 90 original compositions for acoustic and electro-acoustic mediums encompassing numerous genres.His compositions have been performed throughout the U.S., most recently in Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, and New York City.Originally from Hermitage, Pennsylvania, Ron Coulter (b. 1978) was raised on a dairy farm and eventually earned M.M. and B.M. degrees in Percussion Performance from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio.He is currently pursuing an M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies at SIUC.His principle teachers include Dr. Glenn Schaft, Tony Leonardi, Dr. Stephen Gage, Feza Zweiful, John Riley, Erica Azim, Fred Morris, and Nina DeCiancio. http://www.roncoulter.org/homepage/index.html

Ed Davis - MM 2012. Served as a graduate teaching assistant including assistant director of the YSU Percussion Ensemble and taught Percussion Methods courses. 

Originally from West Liberty, OH, Ed attended the Capital University Conservatory of Music in Columbus, OH and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Media degree in 2004. As a student at Capital, Ed performed in variety of jazz, percussion and wind ensembles and worked as an assistant to world percussion instructor, Eric Paton, performing and teaching at schools across Ohio.

While living in Columbus, Ed worked as an instructor at Columbus Pro Percussion and performed in a variety of styles as a freelance musician.Focusing on mainly drumset and world percussion, Ed has performed with groups such as the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Chuck Mangione, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and served as a member of national recording act, Red Wanting Blue.He can be heard on their newest release “These Magnificent Miles” (Fanatic/EMI).

Ed has also been active on the music scene in the Youngstown area, playing with Todd Cutshaw, Radio Lark, and Jordan DePaul & The Reputations on a regular basis. Ed is also adrum circle facilitator for the YSU SMARTS educational outreach program and percussion instructor at Motter’s Music in Canfield, OH. He is presently visiting professor and teaching world percussion at Capital University in Columbus.

Jason Detec – Studied with Glenn Schaft from 2001-2005 at Youngstown State University. Jason is currently the percussion instructor in the Poland, Ohio schools, the assistant marching band director at Norton High School in Norton Ohio, and works at the Guitar Center in Boardman. Prior to Norton he was the percussion director at Greenfield-Central High School where his indoor percussion group was a consistent WGI class A Finalist, Receiving the gold medal in 2007 and the silver medal in 2008. Jason has been involved in the marching percussion activity since 2001 as a instuctor/arranger and performer. He has written for multiple groups from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana and has maintained an active private lesson studio. Jason studied percussion performance at Youngstown State, he is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, the Percussive Arts Society and a former member of the WGI percussion advisory board. He currently lives in Niles, Ohio with is wife Jessica.  

Anthony Di Sanza - BME 1989. Received the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan. Director of percussion studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

Derek Dixie - Studied with Glenn for several years at Youngstown State University. Currently a freelance drumset artist in Columbus Ohio. http://www.linkedin.com/pub/derek-dixie/28/764/597

Joe Donofrio – BM c. 1970. Record producer in NYC area. Producer/manager for Pat Martino.

Cory Doran - BM 2010. Freelance artist in Columbus Ohio. Earned the Master of Music in 2011 at Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas where he studied with Brian Zator. 

Nathan Douds – BM 2004. Received his Master of Jazz Piano degree at Bowling Green State University where he served as a teaching assistant. Formerly freelance drumset and piano artist and adjunct percussion faculty at YSU and Slippery Rock University. Presently lives in Red Wing Minnesota.

Kevin Downs - BM 1988. Director/founder the KAD School of Percussion in Poland, Ohio and freelance percussion artist. Drumset artist with Redline. Educational endorsement artist with Vic Firth Sticks and Sabian Cymbals.

Dave Drevna - Earned his BM in Education from Youngstown State University in c. 1978, where he studied with Fred Whistler, YSU's first full-time percussion professor. Dave went on to teach at Jackson-Milton High School for many years. He is presently a freelance musician in northeast Ohio and teaches percussion at Canfield High School. 

Robert Flamino – BM 2005. Freelance artist in western Pennsylvania.

Matt Hadaway – Freelance drumset artist in Cleveland Ohio. Formerly a freelance artist in New York City and London, England. While in high school, Matt studied privately with Glenn Schaft in Cleveland in the early 1990's. http://www.myspace.com/matthadaway

Joshua Haggerty – BME 2006. Formerly a doctor of musical arts candidate and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Illinois where he studied with Ricardo Flores and William Moersch. Received the MM at the University of Illiniois, Champaign-Urbana. Formerly adjunct percussion methods class instructor at YSU.

Tim Hampton – BM 2008. Tim is originally from Lakewood, Ohio. He graduated from Lakewood High School and has a bachelor's degree in music performance from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. While at YSU Tim studied with Dr. Glenn Schaft, Mr. Rob Ferguson and Mr. Nathan Douds. During his time at the Dana School of Music, Tim was  an active performer, playing with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble I, the Dana Symphony Orchestra, the Dana Opera Orchestra, the Brazillian Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble II (Frank Zappa Ensemble), Jazz Ensemble III, and the YSU Marching Pride.  Tim's studies included special projects and performances of the music of Frank Zappa and John Cage. Tim is a founding member of the S'mosa Percussion Quartet, which performs in schools around the Cleveland and Pittsburgh areas.  He was recently involved in the commission of a new work by John Hollenbeck, its premiere performance at the  Eli Whitney Museum of Art in New York, and its recording. Tim has taught privately at Fame Conservatory in Poland, Ohio, and has taught and written for the Norwayne High School marching band. He is currently persuing the Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. He studies with the members of the Percussion Group Cincinnati including Alan Otte, James Culley, and Russell Burge.

Dave Hepler - MM 2005 - David holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Clarion University and a Master’s degree in music performance from Youngstown State University. David is a well-rounded musician who is proficient at many styles including Jazz/Latin, Classic Rock, Modern Rock, Country, and Orchestral. He performs professionally with several bands including the Wrangler Band, who have opened for Nashville stars such as Faith Hill, Brad Paisley, Jimmy Wayne, Jeff Carson, Lonestar, and others. In addition, David has performed with The Recliners, H2A, The Jazz Light Trio, The Clarion River Jazz Octet, and The Warren Symphony Orchestra.

 David also enjoys teaching students of all ages. Most recently, he was appointed as the Director of Applied Percussion Studies at Clarion University where he teaches applied percussion lessons, Jazz History, and directs the Pep Band. He also works with the Clarion Area High School Marching Band as their assistant director, and the DuBois Area High School as their percussion instructor.     

Craig Hill – BM 2003, MM 2005. Craig is currently performing internationally as a drummer, percussionist and bandleader.  He is one of the featured performers in the 2013-14 Tokyo Kitchen Beat percussion trio.  Through Stiletto Entertainment, Crystal/NYK, and Holland America Line, Craig has played within the reading ensembles of the Grand World Voyages and the inaugural run of the Nieuw Amsterdam.  A few of the artists that he has performed with include Wayne Newton, Melissa Manchester, Nestor Torres, Judy Carmichael, Joel Mason, Ian Finkel, Dale Kristien, Jeff Trachta, Tamara Guo, Cecil Welch, Carme Pitrello, Reuben Alvarez, Reynaldo Gonzales, Lovena Fox, Jim McNeely, Jimmy Heath, Don Bradon, Conrad Herwig, Allen Vizzutti, Paul Baker, and Dick Cantino.

     As an assistant band director and percussion specialist, Craig taught at John Horn High School, Berry Middle School, and Terry Middle School in Dallas, Texas.  In addition to managing all aspects of percussion instruction, Craig also team-taught a variety of large and chamber ensembles in the orchestral, band, jazz, marching, choir, and new music departments.

     Craig Hill received the Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Youngstown State University in 2005 while working as a graduate assistant.  Completing the Bachelor of Music in Education from Youngstown State University in 2003, he is licensed to teach in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Alex Hines - Studied for several years with Glenn at Youngstown State University. Currently a freelance drumset artist in northeast Ohio.

Tyler Husosky – BM 2008 Tyler Husosky graduated from Howland High School in 2004 where he participated in marching band, symphonic band, solo and ensemble contest, and was a member of the 2004 All-State Orchestra.  While at Youngstown State University, Tyler was a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Dana Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, and the YSU Marching Pride.  He was also a pit member for "Urinetown" and "The Golden Apple" productions.  Tyler's principle teachers include Dr. Glenn Schaft, Rob Ferguson, Ron Coulter and Tony Ferderber.

Tyler's teaching experience includes a studio of private students, a coach of the Stambaugh Youth Concert Band and Youngstown Symphony Youth Orchestra percussion sections, drumline instructor for Champion and LaBrae High Schools, as well as coaching percussion ensembles for district solo and ensemble contest. 

Recently, Tyler worked with the Trumbull Art Galleries' "Summerfest" art program where he worked with students of various ages creating homemade percussion instruments and doing rhythm workshops.  He is also a founding member of the "Somewhere in the Sun" steel drum duo with Zachary Taylor, and has substituted with the W.D. Packard Concert Band. Tyler is currently a member of the Percussive Arts Society and the Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association. 

Chris Kimble - MM 2007. Lives in Arizona

Craig Krolicki - BME 1997. Freelance drumset artist in Nashville, Tennessee.

Adam Mamula - BM 1999. Adam is currently working with the P&O Australia cruise line based in Sydney, Australia playing with piano trios and show bands. He has previously worked with the Holland America cruise line.  As a cruise ship musician, Adam has traveled to over 30 countries on 5 continents. Previous to working on ships, Adam played with regional symphony orchestras for more than 10 years. He has worked with the Wheeling Symphony, the Erie Philharmonic, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic amongst many others. Adam's experience also includes work with the Youngstown based band, The Zou, having toured and performed in 13 states with the group in 2008. Adam also on occasion fronts a Leonard Cohen tribute band where he performs as the pianist and lead vocalist. 

Chris Massey (BA, 2005) Freelance jazz drummer in New York City. www.chrismasseyjazz.com Chris has recently released a solo album and toured nationally with his own band.

Dustin May (BM Jazz, 2012)  Westerville, OH   dustinmay614@yahoo.com    dustinmay614.wix.com/dustinmay

Jerry Noble – While attending Berea High School, Jerry studied with Glenn Schaft for three years at the Baldwin-Wallace College Preparatory Program. Jerry is the Director of Percussion at Wright State University and is a member of the Dayton Philharmonic. He additionally serves as President of the Percussive Arts Society-Ohio Chapter, is founder/director of the Southwestern Ohio Percussion Camp, and has premiered new works with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Cincinnati’s new music ensemble, Concert:Nova.

Mr. Noble has performed as timpanist and/or percussionist with the Cincinnati Symphony, Indianapolis Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Alabama Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Columbus Symphony, Cleveland Pops, New Mexico Symphony, West Virginia Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Evansville Philharmonic, the USAF Band of Liberty in Boston, and the New World Symphony. Conductors and artists he has worked with include Paavo Jarvi, Eric Kunzel, Leonard Slatkin, Michael Tilson Thomas, Jahja Ling, Ludovic Morlot, Janos Starker, and Sir James Galway. Jerry has held principal positions with the Owensboro Symphony, Columbus Philharmonic, the Indiana University Summer Festival Orchesta, and the USAF Band of Flight.

While a member of the USAF Band of Flight he performed over 1,500 concerts throughout the Midwest with the Concert Band, Brass Quintet, and Jazz Band; including performances for presidents, vice presidents, senators, military leaders, and heads of state. While in the Air Force Jerry was awarded two commendation medals, two achievement medals, “Band of Flight: Airman of the Year”, and “Band of Flight: Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.” He has also toured the Caribbean as a drummer for Princess Cruises, served as percussion staff/arranger with the University of Cincinnati Bearcats Marching Band, and was a percussionist for Star of Indiana’s “Brass Theater” (predecessor to Blast!).

Mr. Noble is originally from Berea, Ohio and while in high school was a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, studying with Tom Freer and he continued those studies through his undergrad. Jerry has also studied with Rusty Burge, Al Otte, Jim Culley, Glenn Schaft, and has had several lessons and masterclass performances with the late Cleveland Orchestra timpanist, Cloyd Duff. Degrees are from University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music, Indiana University, and Cleveland State. gerald.noble@wright.edu

Matt North - Freelance artist in Los Angeles. While in high school, Matt studied privately with Glenn Schaft in the mid-80's in Champaign-Urbana and at the University of Illinois Jazz Camps. http://www.myspace.com/mattnorth

Joseph Parlink - BME 1958. Professor Emeritus of Percussion Studies at Youngstown State University, 1972-96. Resides in Boardman, OH.

Gregory Parnell - BME 1995. Toured for 8 years with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. Presentlythe leader and founder of the Orlando Jazz Orchestra and a freelance musician in Central Florida.

Darryl Pellegrini - BME 1983. Darrell lives in Honolulu, Hawaii and is an in-demanddrumset artist. Previously lived in New York City and performed with numerous jazz greats such as the Village Vanguard Orchestra and Chuck Mangione and as a regular sub on Broadway. He received his Master of Music Performance Degree from the Manhattan School of Music.

Kevin Rabold - BM 2011. Is pursuing his masters degree in performance at Indiana University. 

Corey Radford – Freelance drumset artist in New York City. Studied with Dr. Schaft at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he earned the BM in Jazz Studies. http://www.myspace.com/coreyradford

Eric D. Ratica (BME 2000) is currently serving as Director of Bands in the North Central Local School District (Norwayne High School and Creston Middle School) in Creston, Ohio.He has held this position since 2000.His current responsibilities include direction of the 5th, 6th, and 7th-8th grade bands at Creston Middle School.At Norwayne High School, he is responsible for the direction of the “Bobcat Pride” Marching Band, the Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble.Mr. Ratica’s additional teaching responsibilities include 5th grade general music at CMS as well as Music Theory and Music History at NHS.

Under Ratica’s direction, the Norwayne High School Band has nearly doubled in size since the year 2000.The Norwayne High School Marching Band entered OMEA Marching Band Adjudicated Event for the first time in the school’s history and has been actively participating since 2002. Additionally, the concert band has earned “excellent” ratings at OMEA district adjudicated event consecutively since 2003, a feat not achieved at Norwayne since the 1970’s.

Mr. Ratica is a 1996 graduate of Willoughby South High School. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree cum laude in 2000 from Youngstown State University. In 2006, he earned a Master of Music Education Degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.

 His previous teaching experience includes service as percussion caption head at Crestwood High School from 1998-2000 and Canfield High School from 1999-2000.Mr. Ratica has also served as an instructor/consultant at Willoughby South High School, Painesville Riverside High School, and Kirtland High School.He is an Eagle Scout and his biography was selected to be printed in the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh editions of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.”Mr. Ratica resides in Creston with his wife, Leanne.

Dale Rauschenberg - BME 1960. Director of Percussion Studies at Towson State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Jim Richley - BME 1991. Freelance artist in northeast Ohio. 

Randy Rodik - BME 1998. Teaches at Leetonia High School. Freelance percussion artist in northeast Ohio.

Seth Rogers - MMJ, 2008. Seth received his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from Youngstown State University, where his graduate thesis was about Tony Williams' metric displacement techniques. Seth presently teaches percussion and jazz studies at Dennison University in Ohio.

Tom Ruggierri – Director of Bands at Boardman High School, OH. Freelance drumset artist with John Reese Project and Backbeat.

James Shimko - BME 1983. Owner and teacher at Folk-Beat Percussion in Newport, Kentucky

Chris Steele - BM 1999. Chris Steele began playing drums on laundry hampers with magic markers at the age of four or five (he really doesn’t remember too much from that time). He does remember “The Tropics”, “Thumbs Up”, “Temporary No Parking” these were some of the names of his band made up of his older brothers and some friends. At the age of twelve, Chris was already playing live shows in his hometown of Butler, PA. His passion for rhythm only grew with time as he began a journey that would take him all over the world. His college career started in the town of Youngstown, OH where he studied with Glenn Schaft and finished his bachelor of music degree. He then moved to Los Angeles where his scholarship to USC allowed him to finish his Masters in jazz studies. Along with the course curriculum Chris also studied privately with, Ndugu Chancler, Peter Erskine, Jeff Hamilton, Zoro, Gregg Field, John Riley, and everyone else under the sun. Chris’s passion for jazz music allowed him to share the stage with Kenny Burell, Conrad Herwig, Sean Jones, Bobby Shew, Jiggs Whigham, Alfonso Johnson, and Phil Woods. Chris also had the opportunity to perform a drum duet with legendary swing drummer Louie Bellson. A summer tour as the drummer for the Glenn Miller Orchestra followed by a tour with an R&B artist in China showed his passion for all styles of music. Cary Brothers had given Chris his first TV appearance on the Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn as he performed “Blue Eyes.” Behind the scenes you can hear Chris in the movie Dawn of the Dead and Four Brothers. In front of the camera you can see Chris as Jim Carey’s drummer in The Majestic. Chris has performed with a gambit of Pop, Rock, and Reggae artists that include Barry Manilow, Deborah Gibson, John Popper, David Foster, Rusted Root, Matisyahu, and The Wailers. Now Chris is enjoying touring and recording with one of his favorite artists Trevor Hall.

Todd Stefan, BME 1997. Mr. Stefan is the Director of Bands at North Allegheny High School in Pittsburgh, PA.  He earned a Bachelor of Music Education, Percussion Applied from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University (YSU) in 1997, and is currently working on a Masters in Music Education at The Pennsylvania State University (PSU).  Prior to his current position at North Allegheny, Mr. Stefan was the Director of Bands at Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson Hills, PA, Director of Bands at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, PA, Director of Bands at Sharpsville Area High School in Sharpsville, PA, and served on the faculty at Grove City College in Grove City, PA as an applied Percussion Instructor. 

 At North Allegheny, Mr. Stefan teaches the Senior High School Wind Ensemble, the Senior High School Symphonic Band, the Senior High School Concert Band, the Intermediate High School Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble 1, and the "Pride of the Black and Gold" North Allegheny High School Marching Band. Mr Stefan has studied percussion with Mr. Joseph Parlink, and conducting with Dr. Stephen Gage.  Mr. Stefan's bands have all been rated as excellent and superior and have been awarded numerous first place trophies and best overall band awards at festivals and parades all over the United States. For more information on the North Allegheny Band please visit our web page at www.naband.org.  Mr. Stefan is also an active member of MENC, PMEA, and PAS. Mr. Stefan lives in Bethel Park, PA with his wife Kristen and son Tyler.

Ken Stewart - BME 1999. Teaches at East Canton High School, instrumental grades 5-12. 

Brian Sweigart – MM 2008. Brian received his Masters Degree in Percussion Performance from Youngstown State University where he served as a graduate percussion teaching assistant. He earned his Bachelors degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music in Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Percussion, and attended Interlochen Arts Academy in High School. He has taught Eurhythmics at many schools in Cleveland including the Cleveland Music School Settlement, the Cleveland Institute of Music, The Montessori School at Holy Rosary, and the Eleanor B. Rainey Memorial Institute. Brian’s teaching has taken him to Maine, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Kentucky where he has taught Eurhythmics to all ages. In addition to teaching, Brian performs as a percussionist in groups such as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Ohio Light Opera Orchestra, and the Percussion Plus Project. Brian is currently director of Eurhythmics and full-time professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Tetsuya Takeno (BM Jazz Studies 2007, MM Percussion 2011) served as percussion graduate assistant 2008-10. He toured with the Holland American cruise line during 2007-08. Tetsuya is from Kanagawa-Ken, Japan, near Tokyo. Tetsuya was commissioned by the Greenville Symphony, PA to write a work for their May 2010 pops concert series. He now lives in St. Paul Minnesota and freelances in the area.

Zachary Taylor - BM 2009. Zachary graduated from Edison Local High School in 2003 where he participated in marching band, concert band, solo and ensemble contest, percussion ensemble & pit orchestra. While at Youngstown State University, Zachary was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, New Music Ensemble, Pit orchestra, Marching Pride and Pep Band. Zachary's principle teachers include Dr. Glenn Schaft, Rob Ferguson, Ron Coulter, Nathan Douds, and Janet Pemberton. Earned the Master of Music degree at Kent State University where he studied with Ted Rounds.

Zachary’s teaching experiences include music and drill writer for the Indian Creek High School Marching Band and percussion instructor for the Carrollton Exempted School Instrumental District Music Department. In addition to this, he taught the percussion methods class at YSU for the 2009-2010 school year.

As a versatile musician, Zachary has had the opportunity to perform with many organizations throughout northeast Ohio. Some of these include The Brass Band of the Western Reserve, Matrix Indoor Drum line, Heavenly Metal Steel Drum Band and Flash in the Pan Steel Drum Band. He is also a founding member of the "Somewhere in the Sun" steel drum duo with Tyler Husosky. Currently, 

Ako Toma-Bennett - B.M. Performance 1999. Awarded graduate scholarship to the University of Michigan and received the Master of Music degree in performance. Performed with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, Warren Chamber Orchestra, Canton Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, Winner YSU Concerto Competition, Toured as principal timpanist with American Wind Symphony. Freelance artist in Michigan.

Michael Tompkins - Studied with Glenn at YSU for several years. Michael (b. 1985) is a freelance percussionist and composer from Columbiana, Ohio. He began his music career at age eight, starting with piano lessons and later throughout high school studied percussion and music theory. He went on to study percussion at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio under Dr. Glenn Schaft and worked in his spare time on several compositions. In 2003, Michael became the Director of Percussion at Warren Local High School in Vincent, Ohio - where he remains to this day. As the Percussion Director, he is responsible for percussion composition and instruction of the marching band, co-instructs the percussion ensemble and gives private lessons. For the past six years, Michael has taught and composed for several south east and central Ohio ensembles. He is currently studying Culinary Arts, his second passion, at Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio - where he currently resides. He is also a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers and the Society of Composers, Inc and the Percussive Arts Society.

Chris Trzcinski – is a drummer/composer of many musical genres and a freelance artist in Shanghai, China. His ability to adapt and bring forth an adventurous voice is the reason he remains a top call drummer on today's music scene. Chris began studying drums at the age of ten, and started his professional career at fourteen playing with local jazz musicians and various big bands in the Cleveland area. He then moved on to study music at the Dana School of Music where he developed his strong sensibility for music and art. After college Chris started performing and touring with numerous acts. In this time, he has shared the stage with the likes of:  Ira Sullivan, Kenny Burrell, Buddy Morrow, Dick Johnson, and Frankie Avalon; and groups such as: The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, and The Living Sound Ensemble. Aside from live performance, Chris has also made appearances on over 20 different Rock, Pop, and Jazz recordings; some of the more recent include: HuYanBin (Famous Chinese pop singer), Andy Hunter Quartet (Jazz), CoCo (Chinese jazz songs), and 24hrusa (Rock). When Chris is not on the road, he is playing freelance jazz gigs, recording, or performing in original-music ensembles in Shanghai, China where he currently resides. Chris studied with Glenn at YSU for several years. http://www.christrzcinski.com

Patrick Wagner did work toward a Master of Music degree in 2005-07 and is currently Adjunct Faculty at Youngstown State University where he serves as a percussion/piano staff accompanist for the Department of Dance and teaches applied dance accompaniment lessons in the Percussion Department for the Dana School of Music. He is also proud to serve as the Percussion instructor for Ellet High School and Hyre Middle School.

Patrick started his music career upon graduation from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1990, touring nationally and internationally with the United States Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and Ohio National Guard Bands. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from The University of Akron, and pursued graduate studies at Youngstown State University, where he served as a graduate assistant. 

Mr. Wagner has enjoyed a successful and diverse career performing with such groups as 'The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra', 'The Four Tops', and 'The Akron Symphony'. He has also enjoyed being a featured performer at PASIC. As a dance musician, Mr. Wagner has accompanied over one hundred dance instructors and has performed at numerous American Collegiate and Professional Dance Festivals. He also served as the staff percussionist and music contractor for The Carousel Dinner Theater. Justin Watt – M.M. 2005. Justin Watt has received percussion performance degrees from two esteemed universities in northeastern Ohio.In 2002 he obtained a Bachelor’s of Music Degree from the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University and in 2005 a Master’s of Music Degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.He also spent the Fall 2002 semester at Cleveland State University doing post-graduate work.His principal teachers include Ted Rounds (KSU), Dr. Glenn Schaft (YSU), Tom Freer (The Cleveland Orchestra), and Mark Gonder (The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra), among others.

Justin Watt – M.M. 2005. Justin Watt has received percussion performance degrees from two esteemed universities in northeastern Ohio.In 2002 he obtained a Bachelor’s of Music Degree from the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University and in 2005 a Master’s of Music Degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University.He also spent the Fall 2002 semester at Cleveland State University doing post-graduate work.His principal teachers include Ted Rounds (KSU), Dr. Glenn Schaft (YSU), Tom Freer (The Cleveland Orchestra), and Mark Gonder (The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra), among others.

Much of Justin’s work has been in the area of free-lancing. Most of this has been in the areas of jazz/big-band, pop/rock, theatrical productions and the classical idiom.He most recently finished a 2 ½ year stint with the Glenn Miller Orchestra where he was able to tour the U.S., Japan and Canada extensively.He has also been lucky to perform with such notable performers as Jim McNeely, Michael Burritt, comedian Jack Carter, Larry O’Brien, The Four Aces, Dolores Parker Morgan, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Julia Rich, Joey De Francesco, Nick Hilscher, Bobby Shew and Jimmy Heath.

Currently, Justin is residing in Asheville, NC where he is involved in various music projects.He is the drummer for the Asheville Jazz Orchestra (a professional big band), Deep River (a country vocal group) and the Like Mind Trio (an eclectic jazz trio that features various original compositions).He has also recently been active in various regional theatre groups including the Asheville Community Theatre and the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre.He has most recently been hired as an instructor at the Asheville Music School, an independently owned school of music that offers lessons on all major instruments. http://www.ashevillemusic.org/Private_Music_Lessons/Justin-Drum-Lessons.html

Michael Yonchak (BME 2002) Mike is currently Visiting Assistant Director of Band, Wind, and Percussion Activities and Director of Athletic Bands at Otterbein College in Westerville, OH. myonchak@otterbein.edu

A native of Ohio, Michael grew up near Youngstown, and graduated from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University (with Honors) holding a Bachelor of Music in Education (percussion emphasis) and a Master's degree in Instrumental Conducting. He is completing his Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in Wind Conducting from the University of Kentucky, where he was actively involved in all aspects of the Kentucky Bands program.

 He is also currently in the process of writing his dissertation monograph on the avant-garde compositions of Frank Zappa. In collaboration with the late composer's wife, Gail, this document will become the first of its kind in providing a serious academic study on the structure, techniques, and performance considerations to three separate works for wind ensemble by Zappa. This project served as a catalyst for a recent presentation at the Southern Division of CBDNA on the music of Frank Zappa, as well as a research article financed by a research grant awarded through the National Band Association. Prior to his time in Kentucky, Michael taught for five and a half years in the public schools of northeast Ohio.

Among his numerous accomplishments, Michael was a two-time national finalist for a conductor/officer commission in the Air Force Bands program, served as the music director and conductor for the inaugural 2006 season of the Buhl Park Community Concert Band of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, acted simultaneously as a performer and percussion caption head for the Allegheny Nightstorm Drum and Bugle Corps (DCA) and has recently been published in the book Teaching Music Through Performance in Beginning Band, Volume 2. He also holds memberships in the National Band Association, CBDNA, the College Music Society, the Conductors Guild, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (honorary) and Tau Beta Sigma (honorary).

Bob Young (BME 2012). Freelance percussion artist based in Austintown, OH.

Eric Zalenski – (BME 2013) Eric graduated from Indian Creek High School in 2007 where he participated in Marching Band, Concert Band, solo and ensemble contest, Jazz band, and played for musicals. At YSU, Eric was involved in the Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Opera Pit, and Percussion Ensemble. He served at Treasurer for the Youngstown Percussion Collective where he participated in the collaboration of YPC and Dave Morgan for the Forms of Things Unknown album. Eric’s teaching experience includes percussion writing for the Indian Creek Marching Band as well as percussion instructor for Indian Creek and East Palestine High Schools.