Dr. Colin Hill is an active performer and educator of classical percussion, jazz drumset, and world music. He currently serves as the Interim Professor of Percussion Studies at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN.

As an active performer, Colin performs regularly with the Bryan Symphony Orchestra, TTU Faculty Jazz Combo, BluHill Percussion Duo, and the nief-norf Project. He has appeared as a guest artist and clinician at numerous high schools and universities throughout the Midwest as well as PAS Days of Percussion in Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, and several PAS International Conventions.

Colin has been invited to perform concerts at the Taiwanese International Band Festival, Paris Conservatory’s PerKumania Percussion Festival, Boomslang New Music Festival, Ecole Nationale de Musique in Alencon, France, Jazz Educator Network’s Annual Conference, Big Ears Music Festival, North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, and the Internation L’Ecole Municipale de Musique in Le Mans, France.

He holds degrees from The University of North Texas (B.M.), Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University (M.M.), and The University of Kentucky (D.M.A)

Q & A

BORN IN: Portland, OR

LIVES IN: Cookeville, TN

DRUMMING SINCE: 1996

CURRENT BAND/PROJECTS: TTU Faculty Jazz Combo, Bryan Symphony Orchestra, BluHill Percussion Duo, and the nief-norf Project.

BIGGEST INFLUENCES: Max Roach, Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Jimmy Cobb, Stave Gadd, David Garibaldi, John Bonham, Carter Beauford, Stanton Moore, Keith Carlock, Glenn Kotche

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU PLAYED ON: Maidentrip Soundtrack (Documentary)

FAVORITE ALBUM YOU DIDN’T PLAY ON: Kind of Blue

CAREER HIGHLIGHT Performing Steve Reich’s Drumming with SO Percussion and the nief-norf Project at the 2014 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN.

FAVORITE SABIAN CYMBAL: 21″ HHX 3-Point Ride