BIO

Austin is currently a freelance percussionist based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Trained in all aspects of percussion, Austin is a versatile educator covering a wide range of percussion pedagogy, from concert and world percussion to marching and theater percussion. He also is well-versed in music technology, possessing a background in performance programs such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, MainStage, and the notation software MuseScore. 

Austin also possesses a diverse performance and education background, performing with theater companies all over southern Illinois between 2018 and 2023. Austin was also a member of the Southern Illinois University Percussion Ensemble and Wind Ensemble from 2017-2023, and serving as Assistant Director of the percussion ensemble between 2021 and 2023. Austin also held positions at various high schools in the southern Illinois region, including Percussion Caption Head at Carbondale Community High School (Carbondale, IL) from Spring 2021 to Summer 2023, and Percussion Instructor at Marion High School (Marion, IL) from Spring 2019 through January 2021. During his master's studies, he served as a graduate assistant for the SIU Athletic Bands, percussion department, and theater department. Austin also led the marching percussion portion of the Southern Illinois Music Camps during the summers of 2021 and 2022, and was also a performing member of the 2022 Southern Illinois Music Festival. 

Austin has earned music degrees in performance and education from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (MM Percussion Performance 2023, BM Music Education 2021), under the tutelage of Dr. Christopher Butler. His past teachers include Mrs. Peggy Casey, and Mrs. Mackenzie Bufis. Austin is also a licensed teacher in the state of Illinois.