Home Faculty Faculty Profile

Percussion
BFA 315, 931-372-6082
ericwillie@tntech.edu

Eric Willie currently serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN, where he teaches Graduate and Undergraduate Applied Percussion, directs the Classical and Contemporary-Pop Percussion Ensembles, arranges for the TTU Golden Eagle Drum Line, teaches Percussion Instrument Class, and teaches Percussion Arranging. In addition to his duties at Tennessee Tech, Eric serves as Vice-President for the Tennessee Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and as Arranger for the Spirit of JSU Drum and Bugle Corps.

As a performer, Eric has performed with the Nashville Symphony, the Lexington Philharmonic, and the Beloit-Janesville Symphony. He has performed at the 2007 and 2003 Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, the 2003 World Saxophone Congress and the 2001 Bands of America National Percussion Festival. His recordings include three pieces on “The Music of Leroy Osmon Vol. IV, Zeraim,” a featured performer on “Serengeti” by the Brass Arts Quintet, percussion with the Tennessee Tech Tuba “Legacy” Ensemble, the University of North Texas Percussion Ensemble, the Bain Percussion Group, as well as several recordings with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony. He has appeared performed with such percussion greats as Keiko Abe, Michael Burritt, James Campbell, Joe Porcaro, Emil Richards, Michael Spiro, and Jerry Steinholtz.

A marching percussion educator and arranger, Eric has arranged for percussion sections at the University of North Texas, the University of Kentucky as well as the Spirit of JSU and Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition, he has served as instructor for the Carolina Crown and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.

Eric’s articles have appeared in The Instrumentalist and Percussive Notes magazines and he has contributed educational resources to Innovative Percussion, Inc., Sabian Cymbals, and Black Swamp Percussion.

As a clinician, Eric most recently appeared at the 61st Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL. In addition, he has presented clinics at several universities, high schools, and music conferences throughout the Midwest and Southeastern United States.

Eric holds a MM in Percussion Performance from the University of Kentucky and a BS in Music Education from Austin Peay State University. He is currently pursuing a DMA in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas where he studies with Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, and Ed Soph.

Eric and his wife, Rebecca, reside in Baxter, TN with their expressive cat, Mouki, and their energetic dog, Lucy.