I was fortunate to be asked by Dan Druckman to present a clinic at the Juilliard School on November 6, 2014.   I was absolutely honored that Dan asked me to come to speak and play for the Juilliard students.

I presented my new class called “Finding Your Musical Voice.”   The class is based on my own life journey and it’s my hope is that my story will inspire students find their own path to musical and artistic happiness.    I talk about my 20 years playing in the Florida Philharmonic and how, on May 9, 2003, the orchestra folded.  Also, how the loss of the orchestra was actually one of the greatest things that ever happened to me.   I take students through my life at Zildjian and how I struggled with the loss of my playing and teaching – and, I ended up where I am now and how I have found my musical voice with all of my past as the foundation.   Throughout the class I play a series of pieces – see photos – and show all types of Zildjian cymbals.

I was so appreciative that two of my former students came to see the class – Rob Knopper, percussionist of the Met Opera Orchestra and Ian Sullivan, timpanist of the New York City Ballet.   Also, Greg Zuber and Jeff Irving were there.  Of course, Dan Druckman was there too.

I played several pieces (see photos below) as well as Jim Campbell’s new piece written for me called “Montague’s Foundry for solo percussion playing only cymbals and John Murphree’s Butterfly Effect.