Erick Saoud is quickly establishing himself in the world of percussion, as both a performer and an educator. He is the Instructor of Percussion at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, and a full-time faculty member at the Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock. He is a member of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and gives performances and clinics each year at colleges and universities across the U.S. as both a soloist and chamber musician.

 Over the past several years Mr. Saoud has contributed numerous articles to the Percussive Notes journal dealing with percussion education and research, ranging from Learning Marimba Literature and Beginning Your

Career While A Student, to The Analysis and Effect of Legato and Staccato Techniques on Marimba.

Mr. Saoud received the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Florida and the Master of Music degree from the University of Central Arkansas.  His principle teachers include Gary Cook, Thomas Burritt, Norman Weinberg, and Robin Horn. He is a proud endorser of Grover Pro Percussion.

Ryun Louie - Clinician

Ryun Louie is the principal timpanist of the South Dakota Symphony and the South Dakota Symphony Percussion Quartet. Ryun also leads up his own jazz quintet called “Louie”. He recently completed active duty in The United States Air Force as the principal timpanist, principal percussionist and main drum set player with the Heartland of America Band based in Omaha, Nebraska.

No stranger to the orchestral world, Mr. Louie has performed around North America and Mexico in several professional ensembles including the West Virginia Symphony, Erie Symphony, Parkersburg Symphony, Sioux Falls Symphony, Utah Symphony, the Utah Chamber Orchestra, Ballet West Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria, Salt Lake Symphony, Butler Symphony, Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, River City Orchestra, and the Canadian Brass.

Ryun E. Louie, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, started his professional career at the age of 15. He attended the University of Utah where he studied with Doug Wolf, Professor of Percussion at the University of Utah, and George Brown, principal timpanist of the Utah Symphony.  During this time, he also studied with Cloyd Duff, principal timpanist of the Cleveland Orchestra.  Mr. Louie also attended Carnegie Mellon University where he studied under Timothy Adams, Jr., principal timpanist of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

During Mr. Louie’s career, he continues to study with some of the best percussionists in the world. His teacher include Dave Jette, Doug Wolf, George Brown, Jay Lawrence, Steve Houghton, Paul Samuels, Jamie Hadatt, Dwight Thomas, Guy Romanco, Kelly Wallis, Bill Hill, Cloyd Duff, Timothy Adams Jr., Tom Freer, Rick Sebastian, and Peter Erskine.

Most recently, Ryun has taken the helm of the percussion programs for the Medina and Wadsworth School Districts in Ohio.  Ryun also serves an Artist- in- Resident for Cleveland Heights High School.  Additionally, he has taught at Bingham H.S. (Utah), West Jordan H.S.(Utah), Davis H.S.(Utah), Southside H.S.(Pennsylvania), Belleview East H.S.(Nebraska), Weber State College, University of Omaha, Nebraska, Iowa Western Community College, and Duquesne University.  Ryun Louie is endorsed by Vic Firth Sticks. Mr. Louie is an active clinician for PAS. Ryun Louie resides in Medina, Ohio with his family where he keeps a full teaching studio and is a freelance drummer in the surrounding area.

Daniel Smithiger - Camp Co-Coordinator/Clinician

Mr. Smithiger currently serves as Director of Percussion and Assistant Director of Bands. His duties include teaching applied percussion, percussion ensemble, marching percussion, and percussion methods. He also assists with the Marching Bearcat Band, and the Pep bands. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director of Athletic Bands, Lecturer of Percussion, and Assistant Director of Bands at Angelo State University , San Angelo, Texas , from 2004 – 2007. He has been an active adjudicator, recruiter, and performer, in west - central Texas, and in Arizona.
  
Earning degrees at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University, Mr. Smithiger is a member of the Percussive Arts Society, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, Texas Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary), and Tau Beta Sigma (honorary). He is currently active as a clinician and educator around the state of Illinois: touring with the McKendree University Percussion ensemble, presenting masterclasses/clinics, hosting the McKendree University “Day of Percussion”, organizing the Midwest Percussion Camp, and presenting a clinic at the Illinois “Day of Percussion.” Mr. Smithiger is endorsed by Sabian Cymbals.

David Boggs - Camp Co-coordinator

David Boggs is currently the Director of Bands at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois where he is responsible for directing the Marching Bearcat Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble and teaching many music education courses. Additional duties include serving as the Coordinator for the Music In Our Schools Educational Series Events including the Preview of Champions Marching Band Competition, Jazz Festival, Young People's Concert Series, and the Midwest Percussion Camp. Prior to his appointment at McKendree University he was the Director of Bands at Rolling Meadows High School and the Executive Director of the nationally renowned Jazz In The Meadows Jazz Festival. In addition, he has worked with the music departments of Indiana University and Purdue University. He holds a B.S. degree in Music Education from Tennessee Tech University and a M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University. Previous marching experience includes performing with the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps and teaching with the Cadets of Bergen County. Mr. Boggs is an active marching, concert, and jazz adjudicator and clinician throughout the Midwest area.

Lester McQuaid - Camp Administrative Staff

Music Admission Counselor at McKendree University.