Podcast
Pete's Percussion Podcast - Pete Zambito
Hosted by Pete Zambito · EN
A place for long form talk with percussionists and other compelling people.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 497 - Candice Hill
1w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 497 - Candice Hill Pete's Percussion Podcast Kansas City-based freelancing percussionist, educator, Steel Pan artist, composer and arranger Candice Hill stops by to talk about her career in KC and getting started there, along with her time performing with the Kansas City Chiefs drumline (03:45), teaching and performing in town, arranging and composing, and her work “Red City Calypso” (21:30), growing up in Columbia (MO) and her family musical background (34:45), her undergrad years at Missouri State University, marching band and lessons, getting into steel pan performance, and Music Education vs. Music Performance degrees (44:55), attending Northern Illinois University for her master’s in Steel Pan Performance, studying with Liam Teague and Cliff Alexis, dealing with performance anxiety, and keeping up with her non-steel band percussion skills (01:04:15), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on being a woman in the field of percussion, Pete getting to work with Candice and Emily Lemmermann for the Missouri Mass Steel Band performance last month, Dirty Dancing, Crafts and Baking, experiencing Panorama in Trinidad and Tobago, bad cleaning jobs, and the excellence of Steel Band all over the world (01:27:20).Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film Michael (01:54:30).Candice Hill Links:Candice Hill’s website“Red City Calypso” - Candice HillPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Emily Lemmermann in 2019Julia Gaines-Montag in 2016Scott Cameron in 2016Liam Teague in 2025Rich Holly in 2020Raychel Taylor in 2020Amanda Duncan in 2023Elizabeth DeLamater in 2019Other Links:Matt Arnet“Tornado” - Mitch MarkovichJohn PattersonBlast!Al O’ConnorCliff Alexis“Because” - The Beatles“Island in the Sun” - Len “Boogsie” SharpeYuko AsadaMia Gormandy-BenjaminRobert ChappellScott McConnellDirty Dancing trailerUnheard Voices - Myrna NurseCricut crafts“Pan by Storm” - Skiffle BunchBen YanceyRaves:Michael trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 496 - Terry Sweeney
2w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 496 - Terry Sweeney Pete's Percussion Podcast Sandbox Percussion Member and Educator Terry Sweeney stops by to talk about his work with Sandbox, their teaching at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Mannes (NY), and the Bob Van Sice influence (03:50), the beginnings of Sandbox Percussion, Terry’s challenges of performing in Sandbox and finishing his master’s degree at the same time, the Brooklyn studio, and the challenges and workings of scheduling (19:40), growing up in Michigan, his drumset and drumline background, and connecting with Gwen Dease through Interlochen (57:00), attending Peabody Conservatory (MD) for undergrad and studying with Bob Van Sice, and heading to Yale University (CT) for grad school, continuing with Van Sice, and some of the other folks he worked with during his time there (01:11:00), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on working with Andy Akiho, training for triathlons, his fandom for popcorn, and the work Canto Ostinato (01:18:15).Finishing with a Rave on the band Sound Society (01:51:20).Terry Sweeney links:Sandbox PercussionTerry at SandboxPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Victor Caccese in 2019Ian Rosenbaum in 2025Jonny Allen in 2026Gwen Dease in 2017Garrett Arney in 2019Amy Smith in 2018Julie Hill in 2019Julie Davila in 2019David Skidmore in 2025Sean Connors in 2025Peter Martin in 2025Robert Dillon in 2025Other Links:Robert Van Sice“Extremes” - Jason Treuting“Mallet Quartet” - Steve Reich“Drumming” - Steve ReichSo PercussionEighth BlackbirdPat Metheny GroupAntonio SanchezInterlochen“Porgy and Bess” xylophone excerptModern School for Xylophone, Marimba, and Vibraphone - Morris GoldenbergYale Percussion Group“Mirage” - Yasuo SueyoshiPaul Berry“Time for Marimba” - Minoru MikiAftersun trailerA Rainy Day in New York trailerMy Struggle - Karl One KnausgardCanto Ostinato - Simeon ten HoltRaves:Sound Society
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 495 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 2)
3w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 495 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 2) Pete's Percussion Podcast California-based Percussionist, Educator, and Adjudicator Genevieve Hilburn returns for Part 2 of our conversation! She’s here to discuss getting into the Master’s Program at East Texas A&M University, studying with Brian Zator and his community of percussion experts, and the focus on developing young percussionists there (04:20), Genevieve’s experiences with the drumline at the school, her post-master’s degree plans, getting her jobs at CSU-Bakersfield and Bakersfield College, and her thoughts on the job considerations and preparations for graduate students (27:05), and she settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on counting rests, being a woman in the percussion world, “programmatic intent”, vintage clothing and furniture, Wes Anderson Movies, great books, Australia, the Blue Coats, and so much more (48:50).Finishing with a Rave on the books that supported Pete’s teaching of his Music and the Movies course at Mizzou (01:35:40).Genevieve Hilburn Links:Part 1 with Genevieve HilburnGenevieve Hilburn’s Bakersfield College pagePrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Britton-René Collins in 2023Brian Zator in 2017Lauren Teel in 2017The Vesna Duo in 2022Louis Raymond-Kolker in 2024Mark Ford in 2023Julie Davila in 2019Kathryn Irwin in 2024Alexis C. Lamb in 2021Gwen Dease in 2017Casey Cangelosi in 2017Kevin Bobo in 2017Victoria Sparks in 2018Other Links:Sean ClarkCavaliers 1995 DCI Show - “The Planets”Chad FloydPius CheungJeff AusdemoreSandi RennickGreg PowerMatthew HowardKenneth McGrathNancy ZeltsmanJi Hye JungGunne Sax clothesMoonrise Kingdom trailerThe Grand Budapest Hotel trailerThe Royal Tenenbaums trailerFantastic Mr. Fox trailerStar Wars, Episode 1: The Phantom Menace trailerTo Kill a Mockingbird - Harper LeeBraiding Sweetgrass - Robin Wall KimmererDashner Design and RestorationThe Crocodile HunterH-E-B Tres Leches CakeTIERRAS South Texas Percussion Competition2019 Blue Coats WarmupRaves:Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen - Michel ChionReel Music: Exploring 100 Years of Film Music - Roger Hickman
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 494 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 1)
4w agoTap to summarizeEpisode 494 - Genevieve Hilburn (Part 1) Pete's Percussion Podcast California State University – Bakersfield and Bakersfield College Percussion Professor Genevieve Hilburn stops by to talk about her teaching at both schools (04:20), the influence of DCI and WGI on teaching in California schools and the challenges of teaching in the performing arts (15:00), getting into the WGI judging circuit, her work with the Percussive Arts Society and her freelancing career (29:45), growing up in Southern California, her early years in music, and her time in the Girl Scouts (49:40), and her time in undergrad at the CSU – Northridge (01:01:50).Finishing with a Rave on a recent performance with the Missouri Symphony on their “Best of Broadway” concert (01:08:00).Genevieve Hilburn links:Genevieve Hilburn’s Bakersfield College pagePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Britton-René Collins in 2023Brian Zator in 2017Lauren Teel in 2017The Vesna Duo in 2022Louis Raymond-Kolker in 2024Other Links:James Logan Band and Color GuardSandi RennickJeff AusdemoreDavid WalkerJohn Luther AdamsKai StrobelJohn MagnussenAaron SmithRaves:The Missouri Symphony Orchestra
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 493 - Jenna Duranko
Apr 30Tap to summarizeEpisode 493 - Jenna Duranko Pete's Percussion Podcast Maryland-based Freelancing Percussionist, Recording Artist, Composer, Author and Admissions Counselor Jenna Duranko stops by to talk about her career, her seminary studies, playing in senior-living spaces, and her recent album Mosaic (04:20), growing up in Frederick (MD), her early musical background in choir, piano and French horn, and her time in the girl scouts (24:00), attending Radford University (VA) for undergrad, recent podcast guest Meridythe Witt, becoming a percussion major and starting from scratch, and majoring in Music Business (34:20), her 7 years working in radio, creating a career through solo marimba performance, how the pandemic changed her career and called her towards ministry, and her current composition project (53:40), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on why musicians always need to be paid, Tervis Tumblers, the band B*Witched, The Pittsburgh Steelers, library work, Macado’s Restaurant, and the Artemis II (01:12:40).Finishing with a Rave on Pete’s experiences with the 2026 Missouri Day of Percussion and co-leading the Mass Steel Band (01:38:15).Jenna Duranko links:Jenna Duranko’s Facebook pageJenna Duranko’s Instagram pageMosaic - Jenna DurankoPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Meridythe Witt in 2026Jeff Calissi in 2017Megan Arns in 2017Emily Lemmermann in 2019Brian Zator in 2017Connor Viets in 2024Other Links:Robert SanderlLancaster Theological SeminaryPreaching and Music - Catherine Williams“Michi” - Keiko Abe“Wind in the Bamboo Grove” - Keiko AbeTaubmann Museum of ArtNational Ovarian Cancer CoalitionRizpahB*WitchedTervis TumblersThe Legend of Bagger Vance trailerGone with the Wind trailerThe Giver - Lois LowryBen Roethlisberger highlightsAaron Rodgers highlightsMike TomlinMacado’sHighlander PizzaRaves:2026 Missouri Day of Percussion
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 492: Caitlin Cawley
Apr 23Tap to summarizeEpisode 492 - Caitlin Cawley Pete's Percussion Podcast New York City-based Freelancing Percussionist, Teacher and Composer Caitlin Cawley stops by to talk about her professional life and her work with the percussion groups Talujon and Mantra Percussion (04:20), growing up on Long Island, her musical beginnings, and her time in the Juilliard pre-college program (22:00), attending Boston University and Manhattan School of Music for her undergrad and grad career, and how the pandemic and a health scare changed the scope of her percussion future (47:40), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including discussions of her experiences in the percussion world as a woman, great science-fiction books and series, New York Pizza, the New York Rangers, great visual art, and KPOP Demon Hunters (01:17:20).Finishing with a Rave on the 2025 documentary film Thank You Very Much (01:44:40).Caitlin Cawley Links: Caitlin Cawley’s websiteTalujonMantra PercussionPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Mika Godbole in 2026Ian Antonio in 2023Maria Finkelmeier in 2018Pablo Rieppi in 2024Other Links:Bash the TrashGreg JukesThe Spence SchoolBrass QueensDewa AlitLa MamaMichael LipseyDavid CossinChristopher Graham“Get Off of My Cloud” - The Rolling Stones“Honky Tonk Women” - The Rolling Stones“Sonic Meditation 1” - Pauline OliverosHypermobilityJonathan HaasGreg GiannascoliSam SolomonTim GenisMatthew PellegrinoThe Fifth Element trailerWhiplash trailerThe Great Cities - NK JemisinThe Dune Series - Frank HerbertUrsula K. Le GuinThe Daevabad Trilogy - S.A. ChakrabortyThe Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi - S.A. ChakrabortyEmpire AI - Karen HaoR.F. KuangKatie LedeckyNew York Rangers 1994 Stanley CupJoe and Sal’s PizzaKPop Demon Hunters trailerRaves:Thank You Very Much trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 491 - Bob McCormick
Apr 16Tap to summarizeEpisode 491 - Bob McCormick Pete's Percussion Podcast Current Tampa-based Percussion Freelancer and Educator and Retired Director of Percussion Studies at the University of South Florida Bob McCormick stops by to talk about his current life and how he stays healthy (03:40), growing up in Cleveland and Southern California, his early musical influences and his time in undergrad (10:55), his work with the Army band and getting his master’s degree (27:30), his year of playing in Harry Partch’s Ensemble (36:15), teaching briefly at Florida State University before heading to USF, building the program there, literature choices in the early years, and the importance of investing in recordings (45:00), and settles in for the Random Ass Questions, including his feelings on current percussion literature, the PASIC New Music/Research Day, the musical landscape during the first half of the 20th century, Tony Cirone’s “Symphony Special”, and so much more! (01:19:20)Finishing with a Rave about Pete performing How to Train Your Dragon live in concert with the Missouri Symphony (01:39:05).Bob McCormick Links:McCormick Percussion Group HomepagePrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Lee Hinkle in 2026Kevin von Kampen in 2024Neil Grover in 2023Jeff Moore in 2023Andrea Venet in 2018Chrissie Souza in 2024Sarah Hasekamp in 2024Other Links:Harry PartchDanlee MitchellTony CironeGene KrupaBuddy RichForrest Clark“Zyklus” - Karlheinz StockhausenTom SiwePaul PriceNancy ZeltsmanLeigh Howard StevensEmil RichardsVic Firth“Canaries” - Elliott CarterEd ThigpenLarry AustinStuart Saunders SmithThad AndersonSvet Stoyanov“Synchronisms No. 5” - Mario Davidovsky“Marimbastuck” - Maki IshiiPayton MacDonaldBaljinder SekhonMichael Colgrass2001: A Space Odyssey trailerThe Sound of Music trailerArtful Noise - Tom SiweThe Rest is Noise - Alex RossPierrot lunaire - Arnold SchoenbergWozzeck - Alban BergRaves:How to Train Your Dragon in Concert
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 490 - Lee Hinkle
Apr 9Tap to summarizeEpisode 490 - Lee Hinkle Pete's Percussion Podcast Pennsylvania State University Percussion Professor Lee Hinkle stops by to talk about all things Penn State, getting hired during the pandemic, negotiating the job, and entrepreneurship classes (03:35), his predecessor Dan Armstrong, the facilities, recruitment, and Penn State football (18:20), freelancing and his faculty teaching load (32:55), his recent album release Modern American Percussion Concerti (41:00), growing up in central Florida, the folk musicians in his family, marching band, drumset, and martial arts (50:20), attending the University of South Florida for undergrad, focusing on percussion and voice performance, and the importance of vocal pedagogy in musical performance (01:02:35), attending the University of Maryland for his master’s and doctorate, then transitioning to a faculty position soon after (01:19:20), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including the tearing down the silos of the percussion world, his active physical health regimen, student memes, great books, scuba diving and submersibles, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (01:35:05).Finishing with a Rave on a recent live performance by the UK band The Last Dinner Party (01:58:40).Lee Hinkle Links:Lee Hinkle’s WebsiteModern American Percussion Concerti - Lee HinkleWilliamsport Symphony OrchestraLee Hinkle’s Penn State Page21st Century ConsortPrevious Podcast Guests mentioned:Cameron Leach in 2023Dan Piccolo in 2020Gwen Dease in 2017Jauvon Gilliam in 2019Other Links:Dan ArmstrongGregory DraneTonya Mitchell-SpradlinAltoona Symphony OrchestraPennsylvania Chamber OrchestraNittany Valley SymphonyWashington Master ChoraleSignature TheaterBenjamin RamirezNaomi SeidmanMaurice WrightEvelyn Glennie’s Concertos pageAmerican Composers Alliance“Conjurer” - John CoriglianoColin CurrieWilliam HudginsKennedy Space CenterPlayalinda BeachRon Jon Surf ShopCarter Beauford“Tom Sawyer” - Rush“The Wanton Song” - Led Zeppelin“What is Hip?” - Tower of Power311 Tiny Desk Concert“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” - Stevie Wonder“Longview” - Green Day“A Love Supreme” - John Coltrane (Elvin Jones, drums)“Smells Like Teen Spirit” - NirvanaIsshin-ryuAnnetta MonroeThe Harry Partch EnsembleLou HarrisonJohn CageJohn TafoyaJohn Tafoya’s Orchestral Repertory BooksTony AmesNancy ZeltsmanTim AdamsRobert MarinoShutter Island trailerSigns trailerRachael RayJack Reacher series - Lee ChildThe Devil in the White City - Erik LarsonA Walk in the Woods - Bill BrysonGuns, Germs, and Steel - Jared DiamondCollapse - Jared DiamondPacific Crest TrailStanley SubmarinesNinth Symphony - L.V. BeethovenRaves:The Last Dinner Party’s website
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 489 - Mike Vercelli
Apr 2Tap to summarizeEpisode 489 - Mike Vercelli Pete's Percussion Podcast West Virginia University Director of the School of Music and Director of the World Music Performance Center Mike Vercelli stops by to talk about his work at WVU along with their incredible percussion inventory (03:10), his work navigating the new financial reality for colleges and the importance of developing entrepreneurship in students (18:00), growing up in New Hampshire, his percussion and music background, his unusual lessons background, and playing in rock bands and youth orchestra (29:50), attending UConn for undergrad, his various teachers at the program, and the growth of men’s and women’s college basketball there (38:30), his master’s degree at Bowling Green State (OH) and his first prominent experiences in world percussion, including his first trip to Ghana (45:05), taking time away from school, teaching and freelancing in Ohio and Arizona, heading to the University of Arizona for his doctorate, and his 6 months of study in Ghana (54:05), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including segments on the inclusion of world percussion in a western arts curriculum, making hot sauce and spicy foods, travel writer Paul Theroux, New England seafood, bad jobs, wild performance situations, and the Smithsonian African American History Museum (01:19:15).Finishing with a Rave on the 2026 film Project: Hail Mary (01:52:15).Mike Vercelli Links:Mike Vercelli’s WVU pageLearning Gyil - Mike VercelliPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Jason Baker in 2020Alex Weir in 2026Norman Weinberg in 2017Josh Armstrong in 2018Daniel Smithiger in 2017Megan Arns in 2017Other Links:WVU’s World Music pagePhil FainiEllie MannettePaschal YoungeTim PetermanMantle HoodAlexander LepakPeter CoutsouridisRoger SchuppSteven CorneliusAbraham AdzenyahEmmanuel AgbeliGary CookTeaching Percussion - Gary CookJonathan LattaScott ShinbaraErick SaoudLord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring trailerThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailerCaptain America: The First Avenger trailerOn the Plain of Snakes: A Mexican Journey - Paul TherouxRaves:Project: Hail Mary trailer
Transcribe →Pete's Percussion Podcast: Episode 488 - Jenny Klukken
Mar 26Tap to summarizeEpisode 488 - Jenny Klukken Pete's Percussion Podcast Minneapolis-based musician, educator, percussionist, recording artist, and visual artist Jenny Klukken stops by to talk about her portfolio career and the challenges of playing marimba in small rooms (04:50), her recording and compositional process, her new album Marimba Standard, and the importance of entrepreneurship in the arts (24:30), growing up in rural Minnesota, her enjoyment of jazz and early country music, Spotify Wrapped, and focusing on listening to albums (43:25), attending the University of Minnesota for undergrad, working through 4-mallet grips, her experiences attending the Zeltsman Marimba Festival, her puppetry career as “Jenny and the Pets”, and combining musical artistry with her visual artistry (01:05:45), and finishing with the Random Ass Questions, including her experiences as a woman in the arts, cooking stories, movies that inspire and/or infuriate, pet names and their backstories, living on a dairy farm, and Pat Metheny (01:35:25).Finishing with a remembrance on the passing of an important living being (02:00:00).Jenny Klukken Links:Jenny Klukken’s websiteJenny Klukken’s new album Marimba StandardPrevious Podcast Guests Mentioned:Fernando Meza in 2020Eri Isomura in 2024Josh Graham in 2025Marco Schirripa in 2022Abby Fisher in 2021Lynn Vartan in 2019Other Links:Steve YeagerEric SammutPete’s Marimba album“Shadows of the Night” - Pat BenatarAngela Myles Beeching“Don’t Fence Me In” - Gene Autry“Crowded Table” - The HighwomenNickel Creek’s NPR Music Tiny Desk ConcertNancy ZeltsmanJack van GeemIvana BilicMaurice’sKatarzyna MyckaKeiko AbeThe Emperor’s New Groove trailerThe Devil Wears Prada trailerThe Little Mermaid trailerRebecca trailerRebecca - Daphne du MaurierJane Eyre - Charlotte BrontëJames - Percival Everett“Kin” - Pat Metheny
Transcribe →