B.M., M.M., Virginia Commonwealth University
                                             D.M.A., Eastman School of Music
                                             Email: aharnsberger@leeuniversity.edu

                                             Website: andyharnsberger.com

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Praised by Percussive Notes Journal as “A Master of Musical Nuance”, Andy Harnsberger enjoys a versatile career as a performer, composer, and educator. He has performed in musical venues across North America, South America, Australia, Japan, and Europe, and presents numerous solo recitals and clinics throughout the United States each year. He has been a featured artist at the Tamborimba Percussion Festival in Cali, Colombia and the Patagonia Percussion Festival in Argentina, and was on the artist/faculty for the Sulzbach-Rosenberg/Interharmony International Music Festival in Germany in 2014 and 2015. He has been a featured solo artist at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festival. He has also appeared as a guest clinician at many Percussive Arts Society Days of Percussion. His compact disc, “Vertigo,” has been recognized by the Percussive Arts Society as “a must purchase for anyone who collects important marimba recordings...His performance makes it clear that he is a master player, not only technically, but musically as well.”

Dr. Harnsberger is in demand as a recitalist and clinician across the country and internationally, presenting clinics and masterclasses at as many as 40 universities per year. His compositions have been performed at PASIC and around the world and he is a multiple recipient of the ASCAP PLUS award for his contributions to American Concert Music. He has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony and Richmond Ballet Orchestras, Key West Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Macon Symphony Orchestra, Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony, Long Bay Symphony, Gainesville Symphony, and Carroll Symphony Orchestra as well as the contemporary music ensemble “Currents”, and has toured extensively as percussionist and xylophone soloist with The Jack Daniel’s Silver Cornet Band. He has also made several guest appearances on National Public Radio, both in interviews, and live performances to bring public awareness to the marimba as a solo instrument.

Andy Harnsberger is Associate Professor of Music and Percussion Coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he also received the prestigious Performer's Certificate. Andy is a performing artist and clinician for Malletech Instruments and Mallets, Remo Drum Heads, Sabian Cymbals, Ltd., and Grover Pro Percussion.

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Quotes:

"Andy Harnsberger is a joy to watch in performance and a feast for the ears. The sensitivity and strength in his live playing was a treasure for the audience...simply phenomenal!"

 - National Public Radio

"His performance was a vivd demonstration of the power of music...riveting and profoundly artistic."   - Washington Post

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"Andy plays with precision, power, and finesse. His enthusiasm and passion is evident in every note."

 - Creative Loafing, Atlanta, GA

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"He plays the instrument with a splendid command and dramatic flair...an amazing exhibition of virtuosity."

 - Falls Church News Press

                                             B.A., M.M.E., University of Florida
                                             Email: thurst@leeuniversity.edu

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Nashville based percussionist/educator/clinician/promoter Tom Hurst has supported artists across the spectrum of popular music for 25 years whether behind the drum kit, or playing ethnic percussion.

The Backstreet Boys, Gary Allan, Wang Chung, Chuck Wicks, Tiffany, Joe Nichols, Sister Hazel, Tracy Lawrence, Peter Noon of Herman’s Hermits, and James Otto are but a sampling of the diverse range of national/international artists that have utilized Tom’s performance services for touring and/or recording.

Additionally Tom has served as a Disney staff musician performing in numerous ensembles throughout his two decades plus career with the company. He’s also served various theatre organizations doing Broadway style pit work for regional theaters, and cruise lines such as American Hawaii (now defunct) out of Honolulu, HI.

On the educational front Tom is a University of Florida graduate with a Bachelors of Arts in Music specializing in Ethnomusicology as well as a Masters in Music Education with an emphasis in Jazz Studies. Tom has taught at every level of music education (grade school program ensemble direction, private lessons, drum and bugle corps and indoor drumlines, college master classes and clinics) and is an adjudicator with over ten years experience serving the Florida Band Masters association assessing solo and ensemble and marching percussion as well as jazz bands at both the district and state levels.

Tom is the co-founder/owner, and financial manager of Infinity Percussion, Infinity Open and Infinity A. Three independent youth arts competitive percussion performance ensembles with over 130 members combined annually. In addition he serves as the Vice President of Infinity’s parent organization, Pageantry Arts Concepts, a 501-c3 non-profit which encompasses several additional independent percussion ensembles from across the state of Florida.

Throughout his career Tom has additionally undertaken multiple non-performance music business related endeavors:

• Producing popular/rock music shows under the auspice of the Loud Jamz and Nashville Drummers Jam events while also representing jazz and world instrumental artists booking shows under his Tom Hurst Presents Loud Jamz promotions/booking entity.

• Contracting Backing Bands for Nashville Based Artists via his Tom Hurst’s Superior Sideperson entity.

• Partnering with Backline Pro of Charlotte, NC, and Total Backline Services of Biloxi to provide instrument rental services in the southeastern U.S. for numerous international touring entities.

• Serving as a Music Manufacturer’s product specialist supporting the Ron Tunk’s Sales South Eastern Sale Representative team servicing a diverse array of instrument, audio, DJ, and lighting interests in the large chain music retailers of the southeast.

In short, Tom Hurst is a life long musician, and music advocate with extensive experience that still ascribes to the belief that one must be a perpetual student always willing to try new ventures and never stop learning/improving.

                                             B.M., University of Florida

                                             M.M., Lee University
                                             D.M.A., University of South Carolina
                                             Email: caitlinjones@leeuniversity.edu

                                          

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Caitlin Jones has an active career as both a performer and educator. She has performed in a variety of musical settings including recent seasons with the Aiken Symphony Orchestra, Augusta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra, and the South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Jones has presented recitals and clinics at universities as well as at PAS Days of Percussion. She was noted as an “Emerging Leader” by the Percussive Arts Society in 2016 and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Health and Wellness Committee. She was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps and served as a front ensemble technician for the Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps in the 2020 season. In 2018, Caitlin was the marimba soloist for the American premiere of Roumen Boyadjieff, Jr.’s “Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra” with the Cleveland Orchestra of Tennessee and she performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in 2019. Dr. Jones received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Florida, Master of Music from Lee University, and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of South Carolina. Caitlin is a performing artist and clinician for Malletech Instruments and Mallets.