This semester was amazing as we had some of the foremost percussionists in the world visit the Interlochen Arts Academy.

Check out this Interlochen article about Jean Baptiste and NanaFormosa’s class.

Bill Shaltis, timpanist of the Boise Philharmonic, presented a fantastic class on timpani tuning.   Bill also played Casey Cangelosi’s newest work for Ghoul Theater for solo timpani, piano and metronome.  Photo below, Bill coaching a student in the Masterclass portion of his visit.

Adam Sliwinski from So Percussion worked with the students in a masterclass setting.   Adam heard solo and ensemble pieces including Andy Akiho’s wALk Or ruN in wEst harlem, Cage Amores, Novotny, Bach and more!   It was a great class.   Photo below, Adam coaching students in the masterclass.

Jean Baptiste LeClere, 1st percussionist of the Paris Opera Orchestra, presented a class on orchestral tambourine and cymbals.   He just did this class at PASIC and we were able to bring a small part of PASIC to Interlochen!    Photo below of Jean Baptiste with students.

The NanaFormosa percussion duo played with the students in a brand new work entitled The Chasing of the Butterfly by Yi-Chen Chang.   This piece is for two solo percussionists and percussion trio.   NanaFormosa also played two duo pieces that they recently debuted at PASIC.  NanaFormosa Percussion Duo performing “Attractions for two Zarbs by Jean-Pierre Drouet.