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2013 North Georgia Percussion Camp Guest Artists Announced!
Derico Watson -
Muskegon, Mi native Derico Watson began playing drums at the age of five. A few short years later, he played regularly at his grandmother's church. Derico remembers, “I always liked to play to my grandmother's records using Quaker Oats boxes, coffee cans, you name it. I was told then that I had a natural gift from God.”
Derico went on to graduate from Muskegon High School where he developed his skills while performing in the music program. Watson, an accomplished educator and clinician has performed and or recorded
with artists such as Victor Wooten, George Duke, Jeff Coffin, Prasanna, Tommy Sims, and Ken Reynolds just to name a few. He's also toured with Marvin Sapp, The Dynamites, Stacie Orrico, SMV (Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller & Victor Wooten), and the Derico Watson Group which has appeared with James Brown, Spyro Gyra, and Earth, Wind and Fire. Watson also has presented drum clinics and master classes at the Berklee College of Music, PASIC, the Montreal Drum Fest and the Mexico City Drum Festival.
Currently, Derico records and tours with legendary bassist, Victor Wooten and SMV. When he’s not on the road, he resides in Nashville, TN where he teaches and records regularly. In addition, Derico endorses Mapex Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Aquarian Drumheads.
John Lawless became Director of Percussion Studies at Kennesaw State University in 2004. Principal Timpanist of the Atlanta Opera since 1979, Mr. Lawless was appointed as Principal Timpanist with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Orchestra in 1986. Since 1978, Mr. Lawless has performed and recorded as an extra with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra while maintaining a thriving freelance career as studio and pit
percussionist.
A founding member of the Atlanta Percussion Trio, Mr. Lawless performs more than 600 school concerts a year for audiences totaling 300,000 annually. In 2004 the Atlanta Percussion Trio performed as concerto soloists with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in “The Glory and the Grandeur” by Russell Peck.
A graduate of Georgia State University, Mr. Lawless’s teachers include Tom Float, Jack Bell, Cloyd Duff, Paul Yancich, Bill Wilder, and Mark Yancich. Mr. Lawless’s previous faculty appointments include those at Georgia State University, Clark Atlanta University, and West Georgia State University.
background. Patricia is an accomplished classical marimbist and percussionist. Doug’s unique sound is inspired by his experience with rudimental marching percussion, death metal, and Indian music. The group performs original compositions and has played with noted artists such as Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Gregg Bissonette and the Watters Brothers. The group has performed clinics at several conventions and colleges around the country including the 2010 Marimba Festival in Minnesota, the Iowa Day of Percussion, and the Minnesota Day of Percussion. In 2011 Patricia traveled to London to meet with Grammy winner Imogen Heap after contributing to a song titled “Lifeline” off of Imogen’s latest album. Team Islas released a self-titled instrumental album in 2008 and are currently working on a second full-length album incorporating their more contemporary electronic acoustic blend. Team Islas is a group whose goal is to eradicate the stereotypes associated with keyboard percussion, and blend styles together to create music that is intellectual in composition, yet through its melodies, accessible to everyone. Video of Team Islas: Video
North Star Percussion exists to spread the Gospel and encourage other believers. We pursue musical excellence and high quality percussion literature to provide a musical experience that is unique and enriching.
John Cage said that “The spirit of percussion opens everything, even what was, so to speak, completely closed.” It is our goal to promote the relevance of percussion music to a constantly evolving society through performance of music that creates a deep and inspiring connection with the audience.
North Star Percussion was founded in 2008 while students at The Florida State University. Since then, we have sought repertoire and performance opportunities that reflect our vision of faith, inspiration, education, and advocacy.
Video of North Star Percussion: Video
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