#441 Joshua Vonderheide- Percussionist, Educator, Founder of The Percussion Conservatory & More!
This week’s guest is Joshua Vonderheide! Joshua is the Founder of The Percussion Conservatory, an educational, crowd-sourced content platform that provides classical percussion artists a digital classroom to share and learn from one another. In addition to regularly playing with the Houston Symphony, Vonderheide is on a mission to solve the accessibility issue in classical percussion. His vision is to create the world’s largest library of classical percussion content and provide full-tuition scholarships to young musicians in the process.
As a young man, Joshua was a three-time Texas TMEA All-State Orchestra participant and has kept a strong passion for that audition process. He now leads a robust studio of private students in Houston and gives frequent masterclasses on those materials. Vonderheide prides himself on being a dedicated and empathetic teacher.
Vonderheide was the Sub-Principal Percussionist with the Malaysian Philharmonic from 2017 to 2022. He is an alumnus of the Verbier Music Festival, the Music Academy of the West, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Texas Music Festival, all of which he attended on full scholarship. Vonderheide was a proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship at The Juilliard School, where he completed his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees under the tutelage of Mr. Gregory Zuber and Mr. Daniel Druckman. Before moving to Malaysia, he returned to his home state of Texas for additional Artist Diploma studies with Matthew Strauss at Rice University.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to Julian Loida! Called “one of the Boston music scene's most valuable players” by The Art Fuse, Julian Loida is a percussionist, composer, and producer. Loida’s musical curiosity and open-mindedness has propelled him towards a wide-range of sounds, genres, and artistic endeavors. He’s performed jazz, folk, and classical, collaborating with dancers, visual artists, songwriters/composers, and musicians of all stripes. The thirst to participate in and experience this range of sounds is partly a product of Loida’s synesthesia. Music is a full- body experience for him, with sounds often invoking involuntary sensations of color, texture, or even taste.
Loida often writes and arranges for his projects and ensembles (the Cuban/Brazilian band INÃ, jazz quintet Mojubá, chamber-folk band Night Tree), and his music has been featured in film, ads, and dance performances. His interdisciplinary projects aim at breaking down artistic barriers. The evening-length solo-project Recital of Dedications incorporates speech, visual media, and music into a series of dedications to individuals, historical moments, and more. In 2018, he released the album Bach LIVE!, featuring J.S. Bach’s music arranged for percussion. Loida’s 2019 release, Wallflower, marks his solo-album debut, and also provides the clearest distillation of his voice as a composer to date. Loida’s discography continues to grow with singles and EP’s featuring vibraphone and electronics to solo piano. Julian is preparing to release his second full-length solo record in the spring of 2023.
Loida has toured internationally as a featured artist at Korrö, Sweden’s largest folk music festival, and played some of the most prestigious music festivals in the U.S. such as Spoleto, New World Festival, the Exit Zero jazz festival, Caramoor American Roots Festival, and Round Top Music Festival. He has performed with groups such as Alarm Will Sound, Castle of Our Skins, Parsonsfield, the Callithumpian Consort, Tonina Saputo, Fabiola Mendez, Veronica Robles, Taylor Ashton, Alkinoos Ioannidis, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, The New Bedford Symphony, and MassOpera.
As an educator, Loida shares his scores and deep rhythmic knowledge with students of all ages. In 2017, he received his Master’s Degree in Classical Percussion from New England Conservatory.
Happy Birthday to Thom Hannum! Thom Hannum has been teaching at the University of Massachusetts Amherst since 1984; he serves as the Coordinator of the Marimba Band/Marimba Ensemble program as well as Associate Director of the Minuteman Marching Band. His contributions were acknowledged when he received the Distinguished Service to the University Award.
Mr. Hannum has long been regarded as one of the nation's foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians having presented numerous seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He is known internationally for his work with the DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana. Thom is also a charter member of the design team for the Tony Award-winning show Blast!
In the summer of 2001, Mr. Hannum was selected for induction into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame for the Cadets of Bergen County, and the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Thom is a product consultant and clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company, Evans Drum Heads, the Pearl Corporation, and Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets where he has developed several Signature Series drumsticks and keyboard mallets. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society where he has served on the Marching Percussion Committee for 12 years.
Through the Hal Leonard Corporation, Mr. Hannum has published a Textbook and corresponding Student Workbook, Championship Concepts For Marching Percussion, which provide many band programs with a comprehensive foundation for percussion education. His instructional video, produced by Alfred's Publishing, Fundamental Techniques For Marching Percussion, demonstrates many of the concepts outlined in the books. Thom has published percussion arrangements and solos with Warner Brothers, Rowloff Productions, and Drop6 Media, Inc. He also wrote a new book with Alfred Publishing called A Percussionist's Guide to Check Patterns: Building a Rhythmic Vocabulary .
Mr. Hannum is the founder and director of his MOBILE PERCUSSION SEMINAR, which offers clinic and workshop programs for high schools and colleges of all ability levels. For more information call 1-413-549-8066, or visit the website at www.percussion.org.
Happy Birthday to Kana Omori! Kana is an international marimbist and percussionist from Japan.
Kana has been awarded several prizes, including First Prize at the International Music Competition in Kobe, Japan in 2006 and the First Prize and Absolute Prize at the International Percussion Competition in Italy, in 2010, where she was also awarded a special prize from jury member N. J. Zivkovic. In 2011, she was awarded the Cultural Prize of the City of Kyoto.
Kana has performed as a marimba soloist with many orchestras throughout Japan and has appeared on several Japanese music television and radio broadcasts.
Having released six albums of marimba music. And her newest album, Gifts Of The Wood, has got an “Semi-Specialty Aword” in Japanese record magazine. Kana is always interested in performing, recording and premiering new works written for her. Her 7th album is coming soon. She has also published a collection of essays My Dreams and many books of her arrangements, include “Masterpieces of Classical Music on Marimba” by HCO Music. Kana’s many arrangements are published by Edition Svitzer.
Kana has given recitals, master classes and clinics around Europe, the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, and Argentina. She was a member of the jury for the final round of The Japan Classical Music Competition. She has been a member of faculty and jury of The International Marimbafest Festival and Competition in Australia since 2019.
Kana completed both her Masters of Music and graduate studies at the Osaka College of Music. Additionally, Ms. Omori completed a Masters of Music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich, Germany, where she studied with a percussion legend, Dr. Peter Sadlo.
Kana is an international artist of Adams Percussion, Encore Mallets, Inc/Salyers Percussion, Aluphone, and Sabian Cymbals. Kana has her own signature line of mallets “Kana Omori Signature Mallets Series” with Encore Mallets, Inc. Fall Creek Marimbas designed a special glockenspiel model named after Kana Omori - the “KANA-Glock”. And, Adams Percussion has made a special pink colored marimba for her.
Now she is a tourist ambassador in Ishinomaki, Miyagi, Japan as well as a presenter of her radio program “Kana’s Marimba Twitting”. Starting in April of 2023, she is a lecturer of the Osaka College of Music.
Happy Birthday to Chris Robley! Chris is a singer-songwriter and award-winning poet who's made his home in the mill town of Lewiston, Maine.
His orchestral indie-pop and folk music has been praised by The LA Times, The Boston Globe, NPR's Second Stage, Performer, The Associated Press, and others. Skyscraper Magazine said he is “one of the best short-story musicians to come along in quite some time.”
Robley’s poetry has been published in POETRY Magazine, Prairie Schooner, Poetry Northwest, Beloit Poetry, and more. He is the winner of Boulevard’s Poetry Prize for Emerging Writers, a recipient of a Maine Literary Award in poetry, and was selected by Robert Pinsky as a finalist for the Dorset Prize.
Happy Birthday to Clifford Koufman! Clifford is a Nashville-based, award-winning drummer who founded Sound & Rhythm Drumming School in 2000. With over 20 years of experience, Clifford carries a world of experience to every scenario, whether creating music, performing or teaching. He's honored to be the recipient of multiple grants, the Thrive award to build community through community drumming classes, performances, and drum circles, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council professional development grant to study music in Guinea, West Africa. He's toured internationally, throughout the US, and in Alaska. Clifford has spent time living and learning from master musicians in Ghana and then Guinea, West Africa, and has performed, taught, and worked with thousands of people as well as working with numerous bands, songwriters, and composers throughout the United States. In an effort to share in his musical experience, inspiration and to connect with creative people through conversation, he began "Clif Chats" where he's has conducted over sixty interviews of creative people at the top of their fields. Clif Chats can be watched on the Sound and Rhythm YouTube HERE
Clifford teaches people in Nashville as well as traveling to schools, colleges, and universities (pre-pandemic) as well as teaches internationally online. He creates play-along tracks for drum circle facilitators as well as making music for licensing. Clifford embraces the spirit of collaboration in Nashville, performing and recording and writing, collaborating with songwriters, bands and composers. He is continually experimenting with a hybrid drum set, incorporating percussion and drum set elements with various hand drums. He facilitates leadership development events using the drum circle as the vehicle. Clifford continues to teach students all over the world and is excited to collaborate with songwriters, bands, and composers. He continues Clif Chats and is always looking to geek out about people living creatively, drums, art, and music.
Happy Birthday to Marcus Santos! A contemporary percussionist and educator, Marcus, is a native of Bahia, Brazil. He commits his life to the study, teaching and performance of his hometown's Afro-Brazilian music and heritage.
Marcus performed with several world renown artists such as the Gypsy Kings (Spain), Daniela Mercury (Brazil) and the Brand New Heavies (England). He has also performed for the president of Brazil, TEDx and with the “One World Band” produced by MTV. Marcus also played at the Sony Pictures Oscar nominated movie ‘Rachel's getting Married’ with Anne Hathaway. He has been honored with the 2013 KOSA Recognition award, Outstanding Arts Performer Award by the Brazilian Immigrant Center (2008) as well as Outstanding Percussionist Award by Berklee College of Music in 2004.
Marcus currently teaches in the Boston area at New England Conservatory, Middlesex Community College and Somerville High School. He is the author of the DVD ‘Modern Approach to Pandeiro’ and performed in the music education DVD ‘Musically Speaking II’ by BOSE. Marcus has lead workshops on Afro-Brazilian percussion and music for Social Change in festivals, universities and conventions around the world such as Fiesta Del Tambor (Cuba), Carnegie Hall (NYC), PASIC (USA) and Harvard University. He is currently the artist director of the Grooversity global drumming network project that includes twenty four drumming groups from the US, Canada, Germany, Mexico and France.
Happy Birthday to Ian Hale! Ian Hale received degrees in percussion performance from the University of Calgary and the University of Massachusetts Amherst where his teachers included Dr. Glenn Price, Eduardo Leandro, and DCI Hall of Fame member and past Associate Director Thom Hannum. Ian was a member of the music faculty at UMass from 2007-2008 and has served as a percussion instructor and clinician ever since. He was the Assistant Director of Bands for the Calgary Stampede Showband from 2009-2011 and has served as Percussion Director for Spirit Winter Percussion from Orleans, Massachusetts since 2012. Ian has worked with many national and international ensembles including the Calgary Stampede Showband, Spirit of America, Thomas Jefferson High School, Dartmouth Indoor Percussion, United Percussion, Boston University, University of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. He was a member of the percussion staff for the Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, and the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently on the percussion staff for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. He can be reached at ihale@umass.edu.
Gig Alerts
The Journey of Jazz Cruise is happening September 12th-19th on the west coast of North America. It is run by Signature Cruise Experiences. Damon also mentions the Rock and Pop cruises with Sixthman.
The Isle of Wight Festival is happening in the UK from June 19th-22nd.
The Rochester International Jazz Festival is happening in Upstate (Rochester), NY from June 20th-28th.
The Ottawa Jazz Festival is happening in Canada from June 20th-29th. Friend of the show, J.J. Johnson will be playing with Gary Clark Jr.
The Music City Drum Show is happening in Nashville, TN from July 19th-20th. Yamaha will be hosting a “Night in The Pocket” event. Friend of the show, Elena Bonomo will be part of the festivities.
Damon will be participating in a Juneteenth event in Harlem, presented by The Soapbox Presents. It will feature a Big Band led by friend of the show, Bryan Carter.
Educational Spotlight
Just a reminder, PASIC is happening this November 12th-15th. To get a discounted badge, you need to purchase or renew your PAS membership. PASIC Registration is now open as of the 15th of May., but the price has already risen once. Get your ticket before the next increase! Both Damon and friend of the show, Ivan Llanes will be giving clinics. You can also book your hotel before they sell out.
The PAS Germany Chapter has a Day of Percussion coming up on June 29th.
The Dartmouth (Massachusetts) school system has a percussion teacher opening, now that friend of the show Tom Aungst is retiring.
Iconic Recording
Joshua chose “Tom Sawyer” by Rush as the iconic recording.
Music News
The 2025 Bonnarro Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee was canceled this year due to severe weather conditions. Organizers announced the decision on June 13 after a successful first day. -Article
The Recording Academy has added a new Country category and rule amendments for the 68th annual Grammy Awards. -Article
Downtown Los Angeles is currently under curfew, impacting several live entertainment events as protests over ICE raids continue. -Article
Live Music Society announces the recipients of its third annual Music in Action grant, with $765,500 awarded to 26 small venues across the country. -Article
Live Nation has announced it is investing $1 billion to build 18 ‘new and revitalized’ live music venues to bring more shows to smaller cities across the United States. -Article
Joshua Vonderheide Interview
The song leading in and out of the interview is called, “TILBURG Infantryman”, performed by the percussion trio of Matthew Prendergast, Joshua Vonderheide, and Tan Su Yin.
Joshua grew up in Lake Jackson, Texas. He was born in Eagle Lake, Maine.
Joshua was introduced to music by his parents who are both musicians.
His first instruments were piano and voice.
Shout-out to Eric Harper, Craig Hauschildt, Brad Kalaine, and Aaron Nix.
Joshua’s first piece on timpani was Samuel Barber’s Dance of Vengance about Medea and Jason of the Argonauts.
Joshua went to Juilliard for his bachelors and masters degrees.
He auditioned to be part of the Blue Man Group.
Joshua played in the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra for five seasons.
Covid helped with the creation of The Percussion Conservatory.
Joshua talks about his many job duties, including the International Timpani Intensive.
Shout-out to friend of the show Ed Choi.
Joshua talks about his rapping career and favorite rappers.
The Percussion Conservatory has an orchestral repertoire app.
Shout-out to the Ensemble Block app.
Joshua mentions Soundslice.
Joshua talks about his company Space City Percussion.
Damon mentions Be An Arts Hero.
Joshua performs with the Houston Symphony.
Joshua professes his passion for classical music.
Damon mentions the HSPVA performing arts high school.
Damon mentions the timpani playing of Don Williams.
Shout-out to friend of the show, Brian Kilgore.
Joshua mentions Nardwuar.
He does work out, mostly pullups and formerly swiming. Damon mentions Hannibal King and his playground workouts.
Joshua will be on this faculty for this year’s Marimbafest.
Joshua picks the iconic recording.
Shout-out to Eric Harper, Joshua’s parents, Craig Hauschildt, Brad Kalaine, Aaron Nix, Ray Chapa, Greg Zuber, Joseph Pereira, Daniel Druckman, Marcus Rotan, Michael Warner, and Ed Choi.
Joshua uses Majestic Percussion and Salyers Percussion.
You can follow Joshua on Facebook, Instagram, and at The Percussion Conservatory.
