Member Since: 9/19/2007
Band Website: percussion.unlv.edu
Band Members:
Alex Stopa is a native of Adelaide, Australia and performs regularly in many Las Vegas music ensembles including the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Alex has performed as a soloist in a number of international marimba competitions and festivals and plays drums and percussion for a wide range of local acts. Alex is currently a part time instructor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
Adam Walton is a second year graduate student at UNLV. He received his Bachelor of Music in music education from Eastern Illinois University in 2005. Adam graduated with departmental and university honors, and studied with Terence Mayhue and Johnny Lee Lane. In the field of education, Adam has been a clinician for public schools in the East-Central Illinois area and a drumline and front ensemble instructor / arranger for local high schools.
Anthony J. King is a second year Master's student at UNLV. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in 2006, from the university of Central Florida, located in Orlando. While at UCF, he was under the frevent tutelage of Proffessor Jeffrey Moore, Kirk Gay, and Jim Yakas. He has taught several Orlando area percussion sections at Deland, Lake Howell, Cypress Creek, and University High Schools. In the summer of 2006 he taught, co-arranged, and composed for the Front Ensemble, at Teal Sound. His future goal is to be an Associate Professor of Percussive Studies.
Ben Stiers is a second year Master's student and percussion graduate assistant from Mackinaw, Illinois. He graduated from Illinois State University in 2006 where he studied with Dr. David Collier and Dr. Tom Marko. During his time at ISU, Ben was a performer and educator throughout central Illinois; he hopes to fill the same role in the Las Vegas area while at UNLV.
Peter Rice is a second year Master's student and percussion graduate assistant at UNLV. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from South Dakota State University in 2006 where he studied percussion with Stephen Tobin and James McKinney. He has taught music at the public school and collegiate levels. He performs frequently in the Las Vegas area, teaches part-time in the Clark County schools, and instructs the "Star of Nevada" drumline.
Paul Schmidt a Junior percussion major at UNLV Paul regularly performs with the Wind Orchestra, Steel Drum Band, and the Brazillain Percussion Ensemble. Paul is a two time winner of the "UNLV Outstanding Percussion Student" award. His show experience includes; V The Ultimate Show, Super Summer Theater, and "Iron Beats" at the Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida. He was also a featured performer with the Ruby Mountain Symphony.
Steve Ferradino currently in his third year as a percussion major at UNLV, Steve a very talented active drummer in Las Vegas who is also the percussion instructor for several high schools including; Foothill, Durango, and Boulder City. He marched in the Chinese New Year Parade in Hong Kong in 2005, and performed in Tampa, Florida with the group "Iron Beats". Steve also performs on a regular basis in Las Vegas with his band "EXISTO".
Daniel Steffey is an active percussionist in the Las Vegas area who is currently attending UNLV for his BM in Music Performance. He began playing drums at the age of 11 and began studying classical percussion at the age of 15. Daniel was a member of the Iron Beats cast in Tampa, Florida in 2005 and has performed extensively in the Las Vegas area, which included a cameo spot in the V Show at Planet Hollywood. After graduation, Daniel plans on getting his MM and DMA in Music. His teachers have included Bob Bonora and Tim Jones.
Joey Hennigan is a percussion performance major at UNLV. He recently transferred from the Community College of Southern Nevada, where he studied with Mr. Bob Bonora. Joey plays in Mocidade Rebelde, a Brazilian percussion ensemble, and is currently playing in a heavy metal band. He hopes to teach and perform after graduating.
Tyler Lozier is a sophomore attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and has been playing percussion for 8 years. Tyler wrote a drumline feature in high school titled "No Emotion". He has also played the drumset in many theatrical productions such as Annie, Nunsense, Grease, and Godspell. Tyler has played many gigs at local bars in his hometown, Perryville, MO.
Deborah Carpi began percussion in the 4th grade and has been playing ever since. She began to focus on percussion in her junior year of high school. Deborah currently studies under Tim Jones and Dean Gronemeier, and enjoys playing in ensembles in addition to her solo performances. She hopes to continue her education after graduating with a Bachelor of Music, with a Master's in Percussion Performance a future goal. Deborah would also like to play in a show on the strip.
Haley Etchison started percussion in marching band. She plays in small ensembles and large concert groups as well as a solo performer. Haley teaches at Greenspun Junior High School. She would like to play in orchestras and advance Christian music.
Austin Perry was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and began his musical career at the age of eleven. Austin has participated in superior jazz, marching, orchestral and percussion ensembles playing a wide range of different percussion instruments. He currently plays drum set around town with the “ Take Four†Jazz combo. Austin has began his first year as a percussion performance major at UNLV. He studies under Dr. Tim Jones, Dr. Dean Gronemeier, and doctoral candidate Alex Stopa. Austin plans on getting a masters degree in percussion and eventually landing a gig on the strip.
Corene Peltier is a native of Kaneohe, Hawaii, where she graduated magna cum laude from James B. Castle High School. She has been studying percussion since the eighth grade and is a freshman at UNLV. Corene is majoring in biology, and hopes to one day become a medical doctor. Corene is currently involved in the Brazilian ensemble, brass band, and marching band at UNLV.
Daniel Alameda, born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, started his musical career at the age of ten, and since then, has dedicated his life to music. Daniel started to study percussion during his junior year in high school with Professor Tim Jones (UNLV). As a solo performer, Daniel has successfully competed at the local, nation and international levels. This past November 2006, Daniel placed 3rd in the International Marimba Competition that was held in Paris, France. Daniel is currently preparing to study with Nebojsa Jovan Zivkovic in August 2008 at "Zivkovic's International Summer Academy".
Elyssia Gonzalez is an incoming freshman from Las Vegas Academy High School of Preforming Arts. Along with playing in the band in high school she has had ensemble experience in the Las Vegas Music Festival and her high school. She has been in the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra for six years. She also played with the Henderson Civic Symphony and has been in honor band and All State throughout high school. Elyssia hopes to gain a larger variety of music experiences by attending UNLV.
Melaney Scarberry is a freshman attending UNLV and majoring in percussion performance. She has been a percussionist for going on 8 years and has been a harpist for 2 years. Melaney has been apart of the Las Vegas Youth Symphony & Philharmonic Orchestras (2003-2007), Las Vegas Youth Wind Orchestra (2006), UNLV Summer Youth Percussion Ensemble (2004), Henderson Civic Symphony (2005), Las Vegas Music Festival (2006), and Clark County School District Honor Band Wind Ensemble (2006-2007). She has also played percussion in many theatrical productions such as, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Anything Goes! , and Oklahoma. Melaney has played at Carnegie Hall (2006) and at the Chicago Midwest Clinic (2004). Melaney is an accomplished artist, receiving the Scholastic Art Award for Excellence in Visual Arts. After seven years of professional performance with the Nevada Ballet Theatre's Youth Company, she was the recipient of a Liberace Scholarship and Royal Academy of Dancing Honors.
Melody Loveless studies as percussion performance major at UNLV. The various ensembles she performs in at school include Brazilian band, brass band, marching band, steel drum band, and percussion ensemble. Outside of the university, she has orchestral experience from the Las Vegas Music Festival, performing as a volunteer musician for occasions such as the AIDS Walk, and pit experience. In the nearby future, Melody plans to teach, compose and arrange pieces, and pursue a higher education.
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