John R Beck

PERCUSSIONIST, EDUCATOR

John R Beck serves on the faculties of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and Wake Forest University.

A former member of the US Marine Band, he also performed regularly with the National and Baltimore symphonies and the Kennedy Center Opera.

He is a Past President of the Percussive Arts Society and is a 2018 recipient of the League of American Orchestras Ford Award for Excellence in Community Service for his work and research using group drumming with cancer patients and their caregivers.

After 25 years at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, John is phase-retiring from studio percussion teaching to take on a new role at the university as the Coordinator for Community Arts & Wellness Partnerships. In February he is returning to his alma mater to work with students in the Eastman Performing Arts Medicine Program.