Ben Wahlund (b. 1977) is a Grammy nominated, award-winning music educator, composer, and performer who lives in the Chicago area. Mr. Wahlund serves as full-time percussion instructor at Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) and the Director of Percussion at the College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL). Published by C. Alan Publications, Bachovich Music, HoneyRock Publications, and Innovative Percussion, his music compositions have won numerous international awards and are performed by professionals around the world.

His engaging teaching style has availed him of the opportunity to work for years with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra as percussion ensemble director, director of a number of regional camps and workshops with high school students – including the NIU Percussion Camp - and university residencies across the country.

He performs as part of area orchestras, ¡The Screaming Norwegians! Percussion Duo, the Naper Chamber Players, has performed at a number of state, national, and international conventions, is a member of the Yamaha Performing Artist roster, the Zildjian Artist Program, and endorses Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets. Additionally, Mr. Wahlund has been awarded and served long-term artist residencies on the island of Key West, Florida, and Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Ben Wahlund received his Masters of Music degree in music theory/composition and Performance Certificate in percussion from Northern Illinois University and Bachelor’s Degrees in Music Education and Music Performance with minors in math and philosophy/theology from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Website: www.BenWahlund.net