Garden State Percussion Trio
Art Form(s):Artist Statement
Garden State Percussion Trio has a hands on approach to teaching. Children have the opportunity to touch, feel, and play the instruments, which is not always possible with most orchestral instruments. This hands-on approach gives children the chance to feel how exciting it is to create sound from an instrument, and it offers instant gratification! Children discover that they can create sound on usual household objects and well as traditional instruments, making music along the way.
Artist Bio
Timpanist Adrienne Ostrander has performed for numerous Broadway shows. Closer to home she is a member of the Princeton Chamber Symphony and the group Solid Brass.
Percussionist Dan McMillan’s career includes New Jersey appearances with the New Jersey Pops, the Papermill Playhouse, and the Cape May Music Festival, as well as performances with Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop. He has also played in the Lion King, Cats, and Grease.
James Neglia, a member of the Harrisburg Symphony orchestra and the Northeastern Symphony, is also the principal timpanist with the New Philharmonic of New Jersey. He has appeared worldwide in solo performances as well as with musical greats such as Placido Domingo, Andre Watts, and the Moody Blues.
Testimonials
Garden State Percussion was wonderful! The children thoroughly enjoyed the presentation this morning. The assembly was interesting, informative, and engaged the kids. They seemed to enjoy the music and all the percussion instruments. The artists were very accomplished musicians who encouraged the students to persevere in their musical studies. They showed that hard work was necessary to play well but could produce wonderful results.
Cultural Arts Chair, Torey J. Sabatini School
