USARD Educators
Meet the teachers, performers, and clinicians advancing the art of rudimental drumming.
Brendan Mason
Educator, Performer & Clinician
New England
Brendan Mason is an active teacher, performer, and clinician in the New England area. He currently teaches general and instrumental music at East Shoreline Catholic Academy in Branford, CT and serves as the Assistant Marching Band Director for Jonathon Law High School in Milford, CT. Brendan started playing rudimental snare drum at the age of 6 as a member of the Col. John Chester Drum Corps. At age 9, he became the youngest drummer to hold The Dan English Trophy as the Connecticut State Junior Snare Drum Champion, a distinction he has won more times than any other individual. He has provided clinics and workshops all over the world, including a 2014 presentation for the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, clinics in Singapore for the Singapore Armed Forces Band, and for The Royal Marine School of Music in Portsmouth, UK. Brendan is a proud member of The Company of Fifers and Drummers, USARD and NARD, and an endorsee of Mapex Percussion, The Cooperman Drum Company, Vic Firth, ProLogix Percussion, and Loyal Drums.
View bio & request a classDave Loyal
Rudimental Drumming Educator
United States
Dave Loyal is a skilled rudimental drummer and educator dedicated to preserving and promoting the traditions of rudimental drumming. With years of experience performing and teaching, Dave brings enthusiasm and deep knowledge to every lesson.
View bio & request a classGarrett Irwin
Rudimental Drumming Educator
United States
Garrett Irwin is a dedicated rudimental drumming educator and performer with years of experience in the art form. A passionate advocate for preserving and advancing rudimental drumming traditions, Garrett brings a unique blend of technical mastery and engaging instruction to students of all levels.
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Hannah Skinner
Pipe Band Drummer & Educator
Williamsburg, Virginia
Hannah Skinner started her pipe band career with the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders in 2009 and has been competing at a professional level in both bass and tenor since 2013. She graduated from Methodist University in 2018 with music degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Education. While in school, she joined the Grade 2 City of Dunedin Pipe Band, winning the 2018 World Pipe Band Championship. The following year, she competed with the City of Dunedin Grade 1 band winning the North American championships. Hannah teaches annually at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming and the Tartan N' Taps convention. She is the Lead Drummer for the Virginia International Tattoo. Hannah lives in Williamsburg, VA and applies her Masters in Leadership in Education to her foundational instruction of the Scottish Arts with Drumming in the Grey.
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Philip Andrews
Performer, Arranger & Educator
Fairfax, Virginia
Philip Andrews is a performer, arranger, and educator from Fairfax, Virginia. He graduated from Wright State University with a B.A. in Music Performance and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Social Media Management at Liberty University. Philip's introduction to fife and drum was at the age of two, at the Old Saybrook Torchlight Parade. His first formal lessons were provided by Dr. Jim Clark, and he became a two-time Connecticut state champion as an individual snare drummer with Colonel John Chester Fife and Drum Corps. He is an active member of the Connecticut Patriots and Connecticut Blues Fife and Drum Corps, and currently serves as a Snare Drum Musician in The United States Army Old Guard Fife And Drum Corps. Philip has taught drum lessons since 2017 and multiple high school marching bands, percussion ensembles, and drum and bugle corps across the country. He serves on the USARD Executive Committee as chair of the Communications Committee. Philip is a Beetle Percussion Artist and proudly endorses Loyal Drums.
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Ty Parker
Drummer, Educator & iDrum Founder
San Francisco Bay Area
Ty Parker is a lifelong drummer, educator, adjudicator, and performer with deep roots in American rudimental drumming and modern drum set performance. He marched with the 27th Lancers Drum & Bugle Corps as a snare drummer from 1976–1982, serving as center snare from 1980–1982, and placed 8th in the 1980 DCI Individuals and 10th in 1982. From 1982–1986, Ty served as a percussion judge while teaching numerous high school drumlines and serving as percussion instructor for the Malden Diplomats Drum & Bugle Corps, including leadership during the 1985 DCI Class A Percussion Championship season. Since 2011, Ty has been the drummer for Panic is Perfect, a San Francisco Bay Area–based band. He is the founder of iDrum.com, an online drumming education platform focused on structured, notation-based learning and instructor-led content. As a USARD board member, Ty focuses on strengthening rudimental education pathways, supporting instructor development, and connecting traditional rudimental drumming with contemporary musical performance.
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