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Percussion on the Rock 2026 returns to beautiful Whidbey Island for an unforgettable summer celebration
of rhythm, culture, and community.
This one-of-a-kind immersive workshop welcomes percussionists of all ages, music educators, and world music enthusiasts to explore a rich tapestry of global traditions
in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Led by renowned artists from across the percussive arts world, participants will dive into diverse musical styles, hands-on techniques, and collaborative performances
that inspire creativity and connection.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just beginning your journey, Percussion on the Rock offers an energizing experience where learning, music, and community come together.
Clock Hours available for WA State Educators
FEES
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$450 Full Workshop Tuition before June 15
$500 Full Workshop Tuition after June 15
Auditors welcome to attend for $50 per day
IMPORTANT DATES
May 15 - Scholarship/Housing Application Due
June 1 - Scholarship/Housing Notification
June 15 - Deadline Early Registration
Scholarships and Housing Available
Information on application​
Faculty 2026
As an original member of the Percussion Group Cincinnati (PGC), James Culley has recorded with PCG for the ars moderno, Mode, CDCM, Opus One, Einstein and EMF labels, and performed throughout the U.S. and abroad. He has directed CCM's Percussion Ensemble for forty-five years, promoting new works by CCM student composers and specializing in performances of unconducted, full-score pieces. This student group has performed at Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Nashville, St. Louis, and Columbus. In 1998 he received the Ernest N. Glover Outstanding Teaching Award for CCM.
James attended the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where as a double-degree student, Culley received a Bachelor of Music degree from the conservatory (percussion studies with Mike Rosen) and a Bachelor of Arts in Classics (Latin) from the College in 1977. Culley then studied with John Beck at the Eastman School of Music, receiving his master’s degree in 1979. “I was still in grad school when I interviewed for the job in Cincinnati,” he recalls. “I had the good fortune to join the trio when I was in my early 20s, and it happened to be in my hometown, a rare occurrence in the music field.”
Culley has performed as an extra percussionist in the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Opera Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Chautauqua Festival Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Columbus Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra and Summit Brass, and he freelances as timpanist/percussionist in regional orchestras.
Patrick Roulet, the percussion professor at Western Washington University, is a teaching artist with broad interests in symphonic percussion, jazz, and global music. His previous teaching appointments have included full-time tenured positions at Towson University and Southern Utah University and eight seasons as the percussion instructor at the New England Music Camp in Maine.
He has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Wadsworth Theater in Los Angeles, and the Rose Theater at New York’s Lincoln Center. He served as the principal timpanist of the Bellingham Festival of Music and has freelanced in several metropolitan areas performing with the Seattle Symphony and orchestras in Washington, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Utah.
Patrick is the author of Intermediate Studies for Developing Artists on Keyboard Percussion and ten collections of music arranged for vibraphone and marimba including music from Disney classics, the Beatles, Christmas songs, church hymns, and fiddle tunes. His enduring curiosity for world percussion and the blending of music and culture inspired him to travel and study in Ghana, West Africa where he recently spent six weeks drumming and playing the traditional xylophone of the Dagara called the Gyil.
Patrick has performed and presented at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorser of Grover Pro Percussion and Vic Firth. http://www.prpercussion.com.
Roger Braun is Professor of Percussion at Ohio University, where he was recognized as the institutions’ Presidential Teacher in 2016. He has given numerous percussion master classes, presentations, and clinics throughout the United States, and internationally at the 2008 Seoul Drum Festival in Korea, the 2009 Cross Drumming Festival in Poland, the 2024 Edeta Arts Festival in Spain, with Galaxy Percussion throughout Japan, and adjudicated the symphonic percussion competition at the 2004 Percuba Festival in Havana, Cuba.
Braun can be heard on many recordings, including performing, directing and producing Sticksand Stones: Music for Percussion and Strings. He has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, including performances with Keiko Abe, Lyle Mays, Béla Fleck, Billy Taylor, Bob Mintzer, and Bernard Woma. He has given numerous performances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention and performed the Schwantner Percussion Concerto in Carnegie Hall. The wide range of his work includes orchestral percussion with symphonies, world percussion with the Biakuye Percussion Group, latin jazz with Los Viejos Blanquitos, completely improvised music with Duo Unprepared, and contemporary music with Galaxy Percussion and the Ohio Percussion Collective.
Also a composer, Roger Braun’s compositions and arrangements have been performed around the world and draw upon contemporary, jazz, and world music influences. His music is published by his company, Ohio Percussion. Braun earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and his Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where his principal teachers were Michael Udow, John Beck, and Salvatore Rabbio.
Mark Allen Stone, Gɔba is an improviser-composer and performer-scholar with a passion for using music to bring diverse communities together. An internationally recognized percussionist, he has performed with the foremost musicians of Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, India, Trinidad, Ecuador, Brazil, and the United States. Also, an accomplished composer and improviser, Stone leads the Stone Sound Collective. His original musical style results from innovative performance practice rooted in knowledge of multiple world traditions. Through his dedication to the study of Dagara Gyil music, the Gyil Gɔba elders of Hiineteng, Ghana honored him with the title of "Gyil Gɔba"; in recognition of his 2016 completion of the Gyil Gɔba initiation.
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Stone is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of South Africa, where he is pursuing a trans disciplinary study of performance praxis through research in musicology, embodied cognition, and indigenous knowledge systems. He is also a featured performer/composer and on the leadership team of the newly launched SouthAfrica/America Music Exchange (SAME). Stone is a professor at Oakland University (OU) in Michigan, USA where he directs the world music program. He created and serves as adviser for the Master of Music in World Percussion Performance and the World Music Minor. As an American Baha’i, Mark Stone is dedicated to promoting justice and nurturing belonging through a world embracing vision of humanity.
Erica Montgomery retired from the United States Air Force Band, Washington DC in 2018 where she served as Principal Timpanist. Prior to joining the USAF Band, she served as Principal Timpanist with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Illinois Symphony. An active freelance musician she has performed with the Seattle Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, Brass Band of Battle Creek, Monarch Brass, Brass of the Potomac, Evansville Philharmonic, West Virginia Symphony and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. Locally she is an active member of Whidbey’s Saratoga Orchestra, Skagit Symphony and a founding member of Whidbey “Rhythms of Nature” Earth Day concert series.
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Erica earned a B.M. performance degree from the University of Illinois where she was recipient of the prestigious Edgard Varèse Award and a Master of Music performance degree from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Erica is excited to now call Whidbey Island home, the perfect place to play drums, drink coffee, and explore nature. In her spare time she is always keeping an eye out for the elusive Sasquatch or our local Southern Resident Orcas.
Program Director
BRANDON NELSON teaches band and general music at Oak Harbor Intermediate School on Whidbey Island, Washington. Brandon earned a Master’s degree in Music Performance from Portland State University and a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas.
A devoted educator, Brandon was honored in 2018 by School Band and Orchestra magazine as Washington's "Director Who Makes a Difference" while teaching at Oak Harbor High School. He has worked as a band teacher, marching director, and drumline coach in Oregon, Washington, and Texas. Brandon is passionate about disability education, having presented at several conferences about his hearing impairment & teaching students with disabilities. He currently serves as Region President of the San Juan Music Educators Association
In his free time, Brandon enjoys arranging for unconventional ensembles, performing, and occasionally traveling to present or clinic for music educators. His family loves to adventure around Puget Sound, read, and play games together.
Percussion on the Rock 2025 is in the Books! (literally!)
Percussion on the Rock Workshop 2025 Recap
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Hosted by Saratoga Orchestra's percussionists Erica Montgomery and Brandon Nelson, the workshop welcomed an outstanding guest faculty lineup: Dr. Patrick Roulette, James Culley, and Paul Hansen.
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Throughout the week, participants explored a rich blend of orchestral percussion and world drumming, delving into techniques, history, and cultural context. The program featured masterclasses, one-on-one coachings, and engaging lectures, offering both breadth and depth of percussion study.
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The majority of time was spent in hands-on ensemble work, including traditional hand drumming and orchestral percussion. The week culminated in a high-energy group performance—a powerful celebration of rhythm and community unlike any other!
Please email us for more information:
Location
Percussion on the Rock 2026 will be held in Oak Harbor, on beautiful Whidbey Island and hosted at
Oak Harbor Methodist Church
1050 SE Ireland Street
FAQs
Who will be coming?
We hope a wide and diverse background of percussion enthusiasts will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. From college/university students and faculty to seasoned pros and rusty amateurs, there will be something for everyone.
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Advanced High School percussion students with a path toward a music degree are also welcome to apply. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent.
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How do you apply? - Go to REGISTRATION Button above.
Active Participants:
1. Submit a 1 page resume or CV, plus
2. Submit a link to a representative short video performance, either as soloist or in a percussion ensemble setting, plus
3. A short intention paragraph on why you want to attend, educational experience and what you wish to gain or learn?
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For non-drummer music educator -- "what should I do for the video?"
Answer: 30ish second phone video of you playing a snare drum or keyboard part from a song you're teaching.
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Auditors:
Please submit a short intention paragraph on why you want to attend, what you wish to gain or learn? Auditors will be allowed to observe all lectures and rehearsal sessions.
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Do you offer Scholarships?
Yes...a limited number of partial and full tuition scholarships are available to full-time participants.
What should I expect a day at Percussion on the Rock/POTR to be like?
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Three full days of Ghanaian and Ugandan Xylophone and drumming demos alternating with traditional percussion ensemble rehearsals.
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Fourth/Final Day will include a “Morning Migration” session: we’ll revisit our overall topics and finish prep for our final afternoon Concert.
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Final Concert & Reception: We’ll generate lots of percussion positivity by presenting a Ugandan and Ghanaian Xylophone/Drumming & worldly percussion ensemble concert followed by an awesome reception/hang!
Will I get to play?
Yes! Final decisions on repertoire and parts will be determined based on attendance numbers. Our goal is wanting to make this a meaningful and positive experience for you.
What will I play?
Ghanaian Drumming & Xylophone Pieces plus “Worldly” Classic Percussion Ensemble repertoire. Based on your skill level/interest you’ll be assigned parts in various pieces.
Can I sign-up for a private lesson with faculty?
Yes! Private lessons can be scheduled outside of Daily events for a separate fee—please inquire
Do I have to play? No, auditing is a great way to absorb the experience and gain insight into this crazy genre.
What are some of the afternoon “Coffee-Talk” or Rain-shadow Discussions?
- Early Success stories = Logistics & How to approach your first rehearsal
Keeping Time Basics & Posture
Percussionists as “Soundsmiths” = This is what we do!
Setting-up your Percussion section for Success
Higher Education & Careers:
Educators/Band Director Responsibilities
Doctorate or College Faculty Chatter
Freelancing, Entrepreneurship & Orchestral/Military Band Auditions
Degree options (Music Majors & Minors)
What are the options for commuting?
Seattle area commuters may take light rail to the Lynnwood Transit Center and transfer to the 117 Bus to Mukilteo Ferry Terminal. Whidbey's Island Transit, operates a FREE bus system on Whidbey Island, and a direct to downtown Oak Harbor bus route is available from the Clinton Ferry.
Getting Here
Arriving by Air
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Seattle-Tacoma Int'l Airport (SEA) is the closest major airport to Whidbey Island with numerous options for most domestic and international routes. Whidbey SeaTac Airport Shuttle provides frequent service from SEA to all points on Whidbey Island. The new Blue Line Light Rail service from Seatac Airport to Lynnwood is another less expensive option with connecting bus service to the ferry terminal serving Whidbey Island.
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Alaska and Frontier airlines serve Everett's Paine Field (PAE) with direct service from many major western US cities.
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Bellingham (BLI) and Vancouver B.C., Canada (YVR) may also be a viable option depending on your departure city.
Arriving by Car
If you are driving to Whidbey Island from points south, you can take the ferry from the Mukilteo terminal which is 24 miles north of downtown Seattle and just off I-5.
Ferry - Mukilteo to Clinton
The ferry from Mukilteo on the mainland will get you to Clinton on Whidbey Island. The ferry ride is about a twenty minute sailing and ferries leave approximately every 30 minutes. During the summer, the ferry can be quite busy and you may experience an extended wait time if you drive on the ferry. Clinton to Oak Harbor is approximately 50 minute drive. Carpools can be arranged each day if there is demand. Schedules here - https://wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Ferry - Port Townsend to Coupeville (Keystone)
Participants coming from the Olympic Peninsula can take the ferry from Port Townsend to Coupeville (Keystone). A free bus services to/from the ferry terminal is available as well as pre-arranged carpools. Island Transit schedule.
Over the Bridge and through the Woods
If you are coming from points north of Whidbey Island, you can cross to the island on Highway 20 via Deception Pass Bridge which connects the north of Whidbey to the mainland. The views are spectacular!
For tourist information including accommodations on Whidbey Island, visit: http://whidbeycamanoislands.com/
