Percussion Faculty


Jonathan Bisesi
John Spirtas

Percussion
Co-Coordinators: Prof. Jonathan Bisesi (left) and Prof. John Spirtas

 


  • Jonathan Bisesi

    Adjunct Faculty and Co-Coordinator of PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Jonathan Bisesi has held the position of Percussionist with the “Presidents Own” United States Marine Band since May 2004. He has been a featured soloist with the Marine Band on multiple occasions, most notably on the Filene Center stage at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and the “Presidents Own” 2011 National Concert Tour.
  • Kanako Chikami

    Adjunct Applied Faculty, APPLIED PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Dr. Kanako Chikami, a native of Japan, is thrilled to be an adjunct percussion faculty member for the Dewberry School of Music of George Mason University.
  •  Kevin McDonald

    Adjunct Faculty, JAZZ PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Kevin C. McDonald, Ph.D. is a passionate musicologist and an acclaimed jazz drummer. His performance credits include Dave Liebman, Mark Turner, Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenon, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, and Lee Konitz in international venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The White House, The U.S. Library of Congress, The Midwest Clinic, the Jazz Education Network, and Bimhuis.
  • Shane Nickels (Michael Nickels)

    Adjunct Faculty, Marching PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Shane Nickels is a percussionist specializing in rudimental and orchestral percussion. Shane currently serves in The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps as a snare drum instrumentalist and as Adjunct Faculty at George Mason University.
  • Victor Provost

    Adjunct Faculty, STEEL PAN, Steel Pan Ensemble, Improvisation I and II, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Victor Provost’s performances transcend the expectations of instrument and genre.  With  appearances at major venues throughout the world (including Shanghai Concert Hall, Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater, the Umbria Jazz Festival, and the Kennedy Center) he has been meticulously solidifying his reputation as a master of the Steel Pan and crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with.
  • Jonathan Rance

    Adjunct Faculty, PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    Originally hailing from New Zealand, Jonathan has been involved in musical pursuits of one form or another since the age of four. While attending the University of Auckland where he completed studies for a Bachelor of Music (Honors), Jonathan was a regular performer with the Auckland Philharmonia.
  • John Spirtas

    Adjunct Applied Faculty & Co-Coordinator, PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA

    In the Fall of 2010 John Spirtas joined the faculty of the School of Music as Adjunct Professor in Percussion. Prof. Spirtas joined the Washington National Opera Orchestra and  Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra in 2000 as Principal Percussionist.