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Hosted by Dr. James Yakas, VanderBeats is an interactive drumming session focused on snare drum technique and hand development.
The goal is to play together, have fun and simply get some quality, informed repetitions in this time of remote learning.
Dr. Yakas will have a special guest clinician at every session.

Sponsored by VanderCook College of Music and The Illinois Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.

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Dr. James Yakas

Director of Percussion Studies Dr. James Yakas joined VanderCook in 2015, and since has completed a Doctorate of Musical Arts in percussion performance from the University of North Texas, where he also
earned his bachelor's degree in music education.
 
After earning his master’s degree in percussion performance and pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, Yakas spent 12 summers in the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, eventually becoming their percussion coordinator and arranger in 2003. Yakas has performed at festivals in Trinidad/Tobago and Seoul, South Korea. He studied Afro-Cuban drumming with Orlando Cotto, and accompanied ethnomusicologist Dr. Steven Friedson for tribal drumming studies in Ghana.
 
Yakas is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Education Committee, as well as the vice president of the Illinois Chapter of PAS. He endorses Yamaha Percussion, Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Remo Drumheads and World Percussion Instruments, and Sabian Cymbals.

Dr. Yakas performing Trilogy, by Dave Maric - Mvt. 1 - Concentrics

Dr. Yakas performing Konzertstück for Snare Drum and Orchestra by Askell Masson

ARCHIVE 

Episode 1

Date: February 25, 2021
Guest Clinician: Adam Hill
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Adam D. Hill
Percussion Educator, Performer, 

Sponsors:
Innovative Percussion 
TAMA Drums
SABIAN Cymbals 
Evans Drum Heads

Social Media:
Instagram: adhbeats
Twitter: @adamhilldrums

Performer for:
AD3 acoustic trio
Somewhere Sunny 

Director Chicago Bulls Stampede Drumline
Director Pi Percussion ensemble

Watch VanderBeats Episode 1

Episode 2

Date: March 25, 2021
Guest Clinician: Marcus Hawkins
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Marcus Hawkins Music
Musician and consultant

Alliance Drum Corps
Percussion caption head

Contact:
https://www.marcushawkinsmedia.com/about

Instagram: www.instagram.com/marcushawkinsmusic/

Youtube Channel:
www.youtube.com/c/marcushawkinsmusic/

Episode 3

Date: April 29, 2021
Guest Clinician: Kali Ridal
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Kali A. Ridal
Marching Percussion Educator, Performer

Sponsors:
Innovative Percussion

Social Media:
Instagram - @kaliridal

Performer for:
ODESZA Drumline
@odesza_drumline
@odesza

Mandarins Drum & Bugle Corps
Battery Technician

Episode 2

Date: March 25, 2021
Guest Clinician: Marcus Hawkins
Doug Bush Headshot

Website
https://www.teamislas.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/teamislas

Instagram:
@teamislas

Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamIslas