Experienced and beginning percussionists will learn from the industry's best, like national guest artists Dan Moore, Mat Britain and Andy Smith, along with local favorites Michael Blake and Brad Stockert, and the University of Mary Steel Drum Band and Jazz Ensemble.

"It truly is an honor and a pleasure to have these acclaimed guest artists on campus," commented Lucas Bernier, instructor of percussion studies at the University of Mary. "They are all dedicated educators and inspiring performers for everyone will enjoy."

A lengthy lunch break will allow attendees to dine at their own expense in the University Dining Hall or travel into town. For more information or to register, contact Lucas Bernier at ljbernier@umary.edu or (701) 355-8167.

Dan Moore

Dr. Dan Moore is an internationally known musician, composer and educator. He performs throughout the United States and at international venues such as the 2007 International Marimba Festival in Chiapas, Mexico; the International Percussion Festival in Patagonia, Argentina (2005, 2006); conservatories in The People's Republic of China (2002, 2006); and in Valletta, capital of the Mediterranean island nation Malta (2007).

Moore is professor of music and heads the percussion area at the University of Iowa. As director of Iowa Percussion, he is responsible for the many elements of the wide-ranging percussion program, which encompasses contemporary chamber music, steel band, traditional Chinese drumming and other ethnic music, concert percussion, and improvised and electronic music.

A native Texan, Moore is a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M University - Commerce, where he studied with Robert Houston and was a student assistant to James Keene. He earned a Master of Music Education degree from Wichita State University, studying with J.C. Combs, and the Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Kentucky, studying with James B. Campbell and Ellington Scholar Richard Domek.

Moore is a Yamaha National Performing Artist, a Signature Mallet Artist for Innovative Percussion, a member of the Latin Percussion (LP) Music Group Educational Board, an artist for Sabian cymbals and Grover tambourines and triangles, and a member of the Zendrum 21st Century Techno-Tribe. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Percussive Arts Society International Organization for Percussionists.

Mat Britain

Mat Britain has pursued his love of percussion from the plains of Kansas to the island of Trinidad. He has traveled to Trinidad numerous times and performed with the Amoco Renegades Steel Band at the prestigious Panorama Festival. Living in Nashville, TN, he directs the Vanderbilt University Steel Drum Band Program and leads his professional steel band "Deep Grooves." His records include the steel drum solos on the quadruple-platinum hits "When The Sun Goes Down" and "Shift Work" by mega-star Kenny Chesney, as well as recent Chesney CD releases "Just Who I Am; Poets & Pirates," "Be As You Are" ("Songs from an Old Blue Chair"), and "The Road & the Radio." You can also catch Britain's music on numerous TV and radio jingles, episodes of "Live with Regis & Kelly," and re-runs of "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous."

Britain has shared the stage and/or recording studio with music industry veterans such as Grammy Award winning artists Lee Greenwood, Neal McCoy, Charlie Pride and Louise Mandrell, as well as new Nashville stars, including the Warren Brothers, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Steve Azar. Britain has the musical distinction of being the first percussionist to grace the famous Grand Ole Opry stage with Latin percussion instruments such as congas, bongos and timbales. He can also be found touring the country with the Britain/Moore Duo, a unique and creative percussion collaboration with longtime friend and Marimba master Dan Moore.

Britain is an All-American percussionist with a global perspective that permeates his grooves, style and musicianship. He is a proud endorser and clinician for Pearl Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, Innovative Percussion mallets and sticks, and XL Protechtor cases.

Andy Smith

Percussionist, clinician and educator Andy Smith has performed in the national spotlight for over two decades. Andy grew up in Connecticut and began his performance career in Hartford, CT, and Boston, MA. A former resident of Nashville, TN, Smith was an adjunct percussion instructor at Middle Tennessee State University from 1999 to 2008. He is a clinician who has regularly presented at the 2011 Kentucky PAS (Percussive Arts Society) Day of Percussion, the 2011 Western North Carolina Day of Percussion, the Georgia PAS Day of Percussion, the North Alabama PAS Day of Percussion, the Indiana Percussion Association State Day of Percussion, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Mars Hill College in North Carolina, and the University of North Alabama, where he served on the faculty from 2007 to 2008. Since 2003, Smith has been the percussion instructor for the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts, a state- sponsored program for elite college-bound musicians.

Smith has performed with Mambo Blue, Orkesta Eme Pe, Lalo Davila, Michael Spiro, Victor Mendoza, Mat Britain and The Canadian Brass. He has recorded numerous albums and instructional videos, and has performed at Tanglewood, the Hollywood Bowl and Lincoln Center. Currently living in Bloomington, IN, he performs with regional orchestras, including the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra and the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. His Brazilian Jazz Quintet has been featured at local Jazz festivals and on WFHB's "Local Live" program. Smith regularly performs with Bernard Woma, Steel Panache, and various artists. He is published by Row-Loff Publications. His music is regularly performed all over the country. Smith traveled to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2012 to study contemporary Brazilian drum-set. He endorses Pearl/Adams Musical Instruments, Evans drumheads and Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets.

Michael Blake

Michael Blake is director of Jazz Studies and teaches Applied Percussion at the University of North Dakota. His areas of expertise include applied percussion, jazz combos, steel band, percussion ensemble and the teaching of jazz Improvisation.

Although he stepped down from directing the 12:00 Jazz Ensemble at the end of 2006, under Blake's guidance it received many awards over the past 30 years. In 1999 the ensemble performed at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland. It was once again invited and performed there in July 2005. The group also consistently won first or second place at the popular University of Wisconsin Eau Claire College Jazz Festival throughout the years. Most recently in April 2, 2004, the Jazz Ensemble placed first and the combo placed second. Blake has also been included in of Who's Who for Higher Education.

He has studied with artists such as Mike Mainieri, Gary Burton, Christos Rafalides, Ed Saindon and Gordon Stout. Michael is a clinician for Ludwig/Musser, Paiste Cymbals and Latin Percussion. As a performer, he has played with the following artists in a supportive role: Martin Short, The Smothers Brothers, Clark Terry, Bob Hope, Della Reese, Gordon MaCrae, Jack Jones, Vicki Carr and Howard Roberts. Blake is also in demand as a clinician/performer.

Brad Stockert

Brad Stockert earned a B.S. in music education from the University of Mary. His teaching experience ranges from the elementary to college level, including directing the Simle Middle School Band Program, directing private jazz bands and teaching percussion and jazz ensembles at Bismarck State College. He has adjudicated percussion auditions for North Dakota All-State Concert Band, Orchestra and Jazz Band, and has appeared as a guest clinician across North Dakota. He teaches private percussion lessons, works with local middle school and high school mallet ensembles, percussion ensembles, and drum lines, and performs in a variety of local performance groups.

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