All about Quentin DeWitt, Percussion Educator - Artist

Quentin DeWitt

Percussion Educator

Artist

Clinician

Playing Marimba

Quentin DeWitt's Bio & Resume

I enjoy my continued involvement in community music making, drumming and percussion and encouraging people to make a little noise of their own. This eclectic mix of educational and professional activities provides students and clients with an excellent resource. Here are a few of my accomplishments and some of my continuing projects.

Endorsements: I have the good fortune to be an endorsed Regional Artist and Clinician for Adams Musical Instruments, Aquarian Drumheads, Pearl, Ron Vaughn Percussion and Sabian. I am also a member of the Vic Firth Educational Team.

Private Drum Studio (since 1999): I teach private drum and percussion lessons in my studios at the Keeney Bros. Music Centers in Moscow, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. The students range in age from 3 to adult and cover all ability levels and topics.

Performance: I am currently Principal Timpanist, Production Manager and Personnel Manager with the Washington-Idaho Symphony, Lead Drummer for the Border Highlanders Pipes and Drums, and drummer with the Snake River Six (“The Oldest Jazz Band West of the Mississippi”). The Cole/DeWitt clarinet and percussion duo was formed in 2004 and we continue to work on commissions, recitals and recordings. I have also recently has the opportunity to perform in the percussion section of the Walla Walla Symphony.

Clinics: Fundamental drum and percussion techniques are vital to a musician's ability to succeed in all playing situations and are the focus of my clinic offerings to all levels of percussionists and educators. I have presented clinics on snare drum, keyboard percussion, concert percussion, drumset, marching percussion, reading music and percussion section organization and maintenance. I have given clinics in Seattle, Boise and throughout North Idaho.

Drum & Percussion Compositions: I regularly write commissioned percussion works for area teachers and their music programs. These pieces have included marching percussion arrangements, choir accompaniments and percussion ensembles. I am always open to new ideas and would love to hear any inquiries.

Summer Camps & Workshops: I am a faculty member of the University of Idaho's DancersDrummersDreamers® College (since 2006) and taught Percussion for the Lionel Hampton Youth Music Summer Camp (2001-05). I have also taught percussion sessions for grades K-6 at Moscow's Rendezvous for Kids (2004-05). In October of 2005 I taught "Drumming for Everyone" through the University of Idaho's Community Enrichment Program. I created and organized the Northwest Percussion Project which began in March 2006 and is now beginning its third year.

Ensemble Coaching: I am the Percussion Instructor for the University of Idaho's Vandal Marching Band. I have also worked with the Gar-Pal Middle School Percussion Ensemble, Pullman High School Percussion Ensemble and Lewiston High School Percussion Ensemble and Drumline.

Other Activities: I have been the Lead Drum Technician for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival since 1998 and the Gene Harris Jazz Festival since 2005. I recently became a Board Member of the University of Idaho's Auditorium Chamber Music Series.

Education: I received my education at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho studying percussion with Daniel Bukvich and receiving two degrees:

Master of Music: Percussion Pedagogy, 2004. Thesis: “Idiomatic Shape and Movement: An Efficient Framework for Approaching Four-Mallet Marimba Pedagogy and Composition.”

Bachelor of Music: Percussion Performance, 1999.

Percussion@QuentinDeWitt.com