Performing.
Teaching.
Repair.

Austin is the Director of Percussion Studios at the University of Tennessee - Martin and Marching Percussion Instructor with UTM’s Aviator Marching Band. Prior to these appointments, he was a Teaching Assistant at the University of Kentucky, Percussion Coordinator and Ensemble director with Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, marching percussion instructor with Woodford County High School, and Director of Instrumental Music at Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford, IL. He also has held positions with the DeKalb High School Marching Barbs, the Wheaton North High School Marching Band, Northern Illinois University Huskie Marching Band, and the Imperial School of Music.

While a teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky, Austin taught percussion methods, applied lessons, percussion ensemble, and drumline. He also developed a new curriculum for the percussion methods course, assisted in revamping the applied lesson curriculum, and composed for the drumline. During this time, he also taught clinics and coached sectionals for the UK Honor Band Festival and the KMEA All-State orchestra as well as led rehearsals of the KMEA All-State Percussion Ensemble. Lesson topics included symphonic percussion, solo western percussion, Afro-Cuban music styles, and steel band. During this time, he became known for a student first mindset that focused on the development and growth of the student as a whole person.

Austin’s students have routinely been honored in regional, state, national, and international events, including First Prize in the Kentucky Percussive Arts Society’s High School Keyboard Competition and acceptance to the PASIC Collegiate All Star Ensemble. His students are consistently accepted to performing arts schools and collegiate music programs.

Most at home behind orchestras and wind ensembles, Austin has performed with the Fox Valley Orchestra (IL), the DeKalb Municipal Band, the Wheaton Municipal Band, the Alltech Holiday Orchestra, and the Chicago Symphonic Winds. He has also accompanied the various Honors Choirs at the National ACDA conference. However, Austin has also performed in a vast array of musical theatre productions including several productions with UK Opera Theatre, Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and Elgin Summer Musical Theatre as well productions produced by Elgin Community College and the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center.

Having grown up playing in various jazz bands, cover bands, and garage bands, Austin also has a deep appreciation for contemporary music and the drumset. Although largely performing as a freelance artist when the opportunity arises, he currently serves as the drummer for Blue Steel, a Lexington, KY based steel band focusing in both Carribean and Western popular music.

Additionally, Austin has a strong grasp of Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazillian, Trinidadian, and Chinese musical traditions as well as the technical facility to play many of the instruments found in those cultures.

Largely trained in a corps style collegiate marching band, Austin has experience teaching and performing in both competitive and non-competitive/show style marching ensembles. As a marching percussion arranger, he has a special grasp and understanding for the challenges and needs of show style and other non-competitive programs. He developed a reputation for composing parts that are both effective and time efficient while setting and achieving specific learning targets for the performers.

Austin has maintained an active career in other parts of percussion and music. He has served as equipment manager for the Kentucky Day of Percussion, Percussion Coordinator and Repair Technician for the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, serving on the PAS Education Committee, and working logistics for events hosted by ILMEA, KMEA, and MMEA in addition to doing various repair work for local schools and organizations.

Austin Shoupe is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Music Performance under the instruction of James B. Campbell. He earned his Master of Music degree from the University of Kentucky and his Bachelor of Music in Performance and Education from Northern Illinois University. He also previously completed undergraduate course work at the University of Southern Maine. His private teachers have included James B. Campbell, Greg Beyer, and Nancy Smith. He has performed in drumlines lead by Bret Kuhn and Chris Dufault. He has also studied drumset with Paul Deatherage, Rodrigo Villanueva, and Les Harris, Jr.