Brandon Draper Adjunct Professor of Percussion
Since moving to Kansas City in 2006 Brandon Draper has quickly become one of the most sought after musicians in the Midwest. In addition to freelancing, he currently performs and is musical director with the Quixotic Performance
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Ensemble, leads his own jazz group, performs with live DJ's in his projects Afro-Breakbeats and Organic Proof, and is also solo live looping artist and DJ.
Prior to living in Kansas City Draper held the position of Director of Music at East Mountain High School in Sandia Park, NM, where he directed the Rhythm Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Guitar, and Jazz Ensembles. He created and implemented a highly successful curriculum, focused on culturally specific world music origins and their societal influences. In New Mexico he was able to perform regularly with jazz pianist Kevin Hays, guitarist Bruce Dunlap and a host of touring musicians.
Draper has performed at many festivals, concert halls and conventions in the U.S. including the PAS Day of Percussion in Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, New Mexico Music Educators Association, Kansas and the Missouri Music Educators Associations. His extensive resume includes performances with both the New Mexico and Santa Fe Symphony Orchestras and the Kansas City Symphony. In contemporary and jazz settings, Draper has performed and/or recorded with Ottmar Liebert, Donna Summer, Mose Allison, Steve Coleman, Bruce Dunlap, Steve Masakowskie, Dave Pietro, Brian Jordan, Doug Lawrence, Will Matthews, Bobby Watson, and Kevin Hays.
Draper holds a B.A. in Percussion from Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, and a M.M. in Percussion from the University of New Mexico. Currently he is percussion instructor at Shawnee Mission West High School, music director at Kansas City Academy, and adjunct jazz instructor at the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri Kansas City. He maintains an active schedule as a performer, educator, composer, music curriculum consultant, drum circle facilitator and clinician at locations throughout the country, and strives to motivate and empower aspiring musicians of all ages.
Brandon endorses Vic Firth drumsticks and mallets and Percussive Pottery Dumbeks.
