Gavin Kitchen

I first began studying percussion at the age of 12 in my hometown of Murfreesboro, Tennessee – about thirty minutes outside of Nashville. I quickly became very passionate about the drum set and learned other percussion techniques from the guidance of private lesson instructors. I received my Bachelor’s in Percussion Performance at the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM) under the direction of Dr. Shane Jones, Chelsea Jones, Dr. James Pendell, and Dr. Brady Spitz. During this time, I focused primarily on being a well-rounded musician. Examples of this include: 

• Completing a travel study in 2019 at the Dagara Music Center in Medie, Ghana where I studied West African dancing, singing, and playing including the djembe drum, kpanlogo drum, the gyil, and multiple supports parts. 
• Winning 1^st place in Tennessee’s Day of Percussion Collegiate Keyboard Competition (2019)
• Touring in the West Tennessee region with “Pacer Pans,” a steel pan calypso band (2018-2022)
• Competing in 2019 and 2021 at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention Collegiate Percussion Chamber Competition

I am currently studying to receive my Master’s in Percussion Performance at the University of Colorado – Boulder under the direction of Dr. Douglas Walter. I also perform and record with the Boulder Altitude Directive (a mixed chamber contemporary music ensemble), teach a few high school marching percussion sections, and run the sound design of a marching band in Boulder. 

I strive to create the total musician. This philosophy is one which focuses on not just being able to play the “grooves” on the drum kit. Although that is extremely important, I want my students to have a holistic understanding of how they fit into a band and what goals they are accomplishing when they play. My students will learn how to play with intensity, patience, direction, confidence, and accuracy. 

I also am extremely dedicated to the goals of each student, individually. I am not a “cookie-cutter” teacher, musician, or person. I believe that everyone learns in their own unique and interesting ways. I allow my students to grow in the way that is most comfortable to them.

I have learned countless practice techniques that I use daily for myself in and outside of music and for my students. I believe one of the most useful ones is creating an intentional, deliberate practice atmosphere. This atmosphere is all-encompassing including a space with minimal distractions, technology (metronome, recording device, etc.) that is readily available to keep yourself on track, a timer to stay honest with yourself, and an explicitly dedicated break time (breaks are just as important as practicing). 

Folk: Animal Collective, Sam Amidon, Tune-Yards 

Soul/Funk: Earth, Wind, & Fire; Knower; Prince; Stevie Wonder; Take 6

Jazz/Neo-soul: Chick Corea, Jacob Collier, Moonchild, Snarky Puppy, Vulfpeck 

Rap/R&B: D’Angelo, Daniel Caesar, Kendrick Lamar, OutKast, The Roots

Classical: Andy Akiho, David Lang, George Crumb, Steve Reich 

“A genius is the one most like themselves.” – Thelonious Monk

I began playing music at the age of 8 when I started in piano lessons. These lessons quickly moved to a jazz focus when I began playing in my middle school’s jazz band. I absolutely loved it and continued taking lessons until I was 18. I picked up percussion in middle school playing with the wind band. I continued this all the way up until I graduated high school. I kept exploring music and learned how to play the guitar, bass guitar, and sing in late middle school/high school. I also learned how to record and produce music in high school under the guidance of my piano teacher who wore many other hats.