OCC Percussion Faculty

Dr. Robert Bridge – Percussion Lessons, Drum Set Lessons, Percussion Ensemble, Latin Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble

Robert Bridge is a Professor of Music at Onondaga Community College where he was recently honored with the "Chancellor’s Award for Scholarship and Creative Activities." In the fall of 2010 he performed a solo recital and taught at the Shenyang International Percussion Festival in Shenyang, China. In 2009, he earned the Ann Felton Multicultural Leadership Award. He received Trustee Recognition awards for “Excellence in Teaching” in both 2005 and 2007. He is also a 2005 recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development "Excellence Award."

Robert has degrees from the University of North Texas (B.M.E.), Southern Methodist University (M.M.), and the Eastman School of Music (D. M. A.). In 1995 he was awarded the Eastman School’s “Performer’s Certificate”. He has performed concertos with the Eastman Kilbourn Orchestra and the Southern Methodist University Symphony Orchestra. In both 1985 &1986, Robert won first place at the Percussive Arts Society’s “Marching Percussion Forum” Individual Marimba Competition.

Robert has twice been selected to present his research at the Percussive Arts Society's International Convention - "Traditional Performance Practices in the Timpani Parts of Beethoven's Symphonies" (1999) and "An Overview of Steve Reich’s Sextet” (2002.) Robert has performed as a solo marimbist in many venues including "Days of Percussion" in Virginia, Long Island, and Kingston Ontario. Robert also performs regularly in the Syracuse area including performances with the Society for New Music and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and can be heard on commercial recordings of both groups. His compositions for percussion are published by Warner Brothers and Kendor. He is an artist endorser for Yamaha Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, and Innovative Percussion mallets and sticks.

Dr. Bridge's Home Page

Jennifer Vacanti – Percussion Lessons, Percussion Ensemble & OCC Ragtime Mallet Ensemble

Jennifer Vacanti received her Bachelors in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia.  In 1992 she earned her Masters from Ithaca College studying with acclaimed marimba soloist and composer Gordon Stout.  Mrs. Vacanti has been teaching traditional and marching percussion throughout central NY for 15 years and is currently teaching instrumental music in the Baldwinsville Central School District and percussion at Le Moyne College. In 1999 She conducted the
Rensselaer County High School Percussion Ensemble and from 1989-1998 directed the Baldwinsville High School percussion ensemble winning two world championships in scholastic concert percussion at the WGI Percussion Finals in Dayton, Ohio.

Outside of teaching, Mrs. Vacanti keeps a busy performing schedule, playing with such groups as the Society for New Music, the Syracuse Symphony,  the CNY Music Educator's Wind Ensemble and the Elaine Miller Jazz Collective. In March of 1998, Mrs. Vacanti also performed in the West Point Marimba Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Frederick Fennell.

Vinnie Ludovico – MUS 162P Beginning Hand Drums & Percussion Ensemble (OCC Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble)

Vinnie Ludovico has studied Cuban and Haitian religious ceremonial drumming with Master Drummer John Amira (NYC) and Bata /Rumba with "Cachete"Maldonado (Puerto Rico.) He has played Rumba with Los Majaderos in Puerto Rico, and Haitiano with Los Pioneros (James Armstrong, Cornell Univ.) Vinnie currently is working with "MOYUBATA" in CNY. He also is working drumset artist who has recorded with producer Rick Rubin (Masters of Reality, MTV jingles) and comedian Sam Kinison. He is busy teaching and playing both drums and "Latin" percussion in CNY.

Pat Shrieves – Timpani Rep Class

Patrick Shrieves has been a member of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra since September 2005. Prior to being appointed Principal Timpanist of the SSO, he was the Principal Timpanist of the United States Air Force Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC. During his twenty-year career in the United States Air Force, he toured and performed in all fifty states and took part in overseas tours to Europe and South America. In addition to his duties as Timpanist, Patrick also performed as Auxiliary Percussionist with the Airmen of Note, the official Jazz Ensemble of the United States Air Force. With the Note, he had the opportunity to perform with legendary jazz artists such as Michael and Randy Brecker, Diane Schur, Arturo Sandoval and Paquito D’Rivera.

A native of Freehold, New Jersey, Mr. Shrieves studied at the Curtis Institute of Music where his mentors were Gerald Carlyss and Michael Bookspan. He also attended the Aspen Music Festival. In addition to his demanding Air Force schedule, Patrick worked as the Principal Timpanist of the Prince William Symphony and the Manassas Dance Company. He was also Adjunct Percussion Instructor at Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Mr. Shrieves has been a featured soloist with the USAF Concert Band, the Prince William Symphony and numerous college and high school ensembles in the Washington DC area.

Now in his fourth season in Syracuse, Patrick has become an adjunct instructor at Onondaga Community College and has expanded his orchestra responsibilities by becoming the Assistant Personnel Manager of the SSO.

Chris Ganey – OCC Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble

Chris is an OCC Indoor Marching Percussion Alumni! He marched with the Syracuse Brigadiers (1997-1999), the Kingston Grenadiers (2003-2005), and the Empire Statesmen (2007-Present.) He instructed the Jordan-Elbridge Drumline (2003-2008.) Chris holds an Associates Degree in Music from Onondaga Community College and a Bachelors in Music Education from Ithaca College.

Robyn Launt – OCC Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble

Robyn Launt holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and a Master’s of Science in Education for Special Education from SUNY Cortland. She was a member of the DCI Division I Drum and Bugle Corps the Colts (2001), and DCA Drum and Bugle Corps the Brigadiers (2004- present). Robyn has taught various marching bands and winter percussion ensembles in Central NY. She is currently a music teacher at Roxboro Road Middle School for the Cicero- North Syracuse School District and on the percussion staff for the Brigadiers.

Dan MacCollum – OCC Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble

Dan MacCollum is an OCC Indoor Marching Percussion Ensemble Alumni.  Along with playing with OCC, he has marched with The Kingston Grenadiers (2003-2004) and the Empire Statesmen (2007).  He currently teaches Middle and High School Bands at Vernon Verona Sherill Central Schools as well as the drumline at Jordan Elbridge (2003-present).  He holds his Associates Degree in Music from Onondaga Community College and his Bachelors in Music Education from Ithaca College.