BIO – Ian Gibson (Percussion)

View More: http://photocaptiva.pass.us/opera-galaIan resides in Sudbury, Ontario and has been the Head of Percussion Studies at both Cambrian College and Laurentian University since 2005.   He is the Principal Percussionist and Timpanist with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra, a position held since 2006.  Ian has also recently accepted the position of being the Scottish Bass & Tenor Drum Instructor at Dojo University.

Ian received both a Bachelor and Master Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Toronto where his principal teachers were Russell Hartenberger, Beverley Johnston and John Rudolph.  As a member of the University of Toronto Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Robin Engleman, he can be heard performing on the ensemble’s 2001 recording, Rondino.  While living in Toronto he travelled to Philadelphia to study with Alan Abel – retired percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ian became the first Canadian Percussionist to be awarded both the Sabian PASIC Scholarship and the Zildjian Percussion Scholarship while completing his undergraduate degree.

Ian is a founding member of three chamber ensembles: Duo Libre, a flute and percussion duo with his wife Rachel Gibson, the Eagle|Gibson Duo, with New York City percussionist Michael Eagle and the PerStr Duo, with violist Jane Russell. In 2012, Ian became the Bass Drummer and Midsection Leader of the Peel Regional Police Pipe band, which is considered to be one of the premier bands in the world and the reigning North American Champions since 2010.

He has acted as a member of the Pipers’ and Pipe Band Society of Ontario Music Board and has adjudicated numerous contests throughout Ontario. In the Fall of 2011, he became the Scottish Bass Drummer for The Ruff Drags; a multi-style fusion drumming ensemble consisting of members from across North America with backgrounds in both Pipe Band and DCI.

Ian is a sponsored educator/artist for Innovative Percussion.