Chris Carmean has been an Assistant Band Director and Percussion Instructor in the Pickerington Local School District (Pickerington, OH) since 2001. He teaches students in grades 6-12 at Pickerington High School North, Lakeview Junior High School, and Harmon Middle School.

Originally from Findlay, OH, Chris received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Miami University (Oxford, OH) and a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). He studied percussion with Stanley Leonard, Andrew Reamer, David Fishlock, Richard Jensen, and Dr. William Albin. Chris marched snare drum for two seasons with the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps (Casper, WY) in 1994 and 1995.

Following his graduation from Duquesne, Chris served as an adjunct faculty member in the percussion department and performed as an extra percussionist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maris Jansons, including a tour to South America. He has also performed with the New World Symphony (Miami, FL), the Naples Philharmonic (FL), and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. Chris is an Associate Musician with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, performing under the baton of Jean-Marie Zeitouni, Junichi Hirokami, Gunther Herbig, and film composer John Williams. He has appeared in concert with Andrea Bocelli and Ben Folds, and performed at the 2011 Bach and Beyond Festival (Fredonia, NY).

Chris is a percussion judge for Ohio Music Education Association Solo & Ensemble and Marching Band Adjudicated Events, and is a member of the Vic Firth Education Team. Professional affiliations include the American Federation of Musicians, Percussive Arts Society, National Association for Music Education, Ohio Music Education Association, American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Chris and his wife Lindsey, a professional flutist, live in Pickerington where they do their best to keep up with their alternately blitzing and napping Bichon Frise dog, Jack.