Justin Watt

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Bio

Justin Watt was born in Ravenna, Ohio where he began his study of percussion and drum set at the age of ten. He has received music degrees in Percussion Performance from two esteemed universities. In 2002 he obtained a Bachelors of Music Degree from the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music at Kent State University and in 2005 a Masters of Music Degree from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University. He also spent the Fall of 2002 semester doing post-graduate work at Cleveland State University. His principal teachers include Ted Rounds (KSU), Dr. Glenn Schaft (YSU), Tom Freer (The Cleveland Orchestra), Mark Gonder (The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra), among others.

Throughout college Justin freelanced, principally in Northeast Ohio, in the jazz, pop/rock, theatrical and classical idioms. After college, he completed a 2 year stint as the drummer for the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra where he toured throughout the United States, Japan and Canada. He has also performed with many notable performers such as Jim McNeely, Michael Burritt, Bill Gerhardt, the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Joey De Francesco, Melissa Aldana, Bobby Shew and Jimmy Heath.

Lessons with Justin

Lessons with Justin will most importantly stress fundamentals and basic techniques of drumming as well as helping the student learn how to read. He wants his students to have a solid foundation so that the student will be freer to focus his or her interests in whatever area they are most interested in exploring. Justin is comfortable in helping the student learn about various aspects of percussion including band/orchestral instruments and all drum set styles. He is also willing and able to help the student with music theory and is always interested and enthusiastic about discussing music history. Overall, Justin wants his lessons to be a fun, positive and enjoyable experience for all involved and his laid back personality helps to achieve this.