Shawn Myers

Shawn Myers specializes in improvisational music using the drum set and percussion. Growing up in a small town in California with no particular music scene to grasp onto, Shawn developed his own unique perspective by listening to many styles of music and studying their roots. Through composing, arranging and scoring, Shawn developed his own methods of hearing and experiencing music.

While growing up in Los Osos, Shawn studied with local drummer/professor Darrell Voss. Shawn was a member of the Los Osos Middle School and Morro Bay High School Concert Band and Jazz Ensembles under Conductor Brynn Belyea. Brynn brought many guest conductors and artists through his program such as Saxophonist/Composer Jeff Coffin, Composer Dan Bukvich and Composer Frank Ticheli.

Early in high school, Shawn decided to take his music to the next level while experiencing a different area of the country. He was accepted into Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he spent his junior and senior years, studying percussion/drum set under the tutelage of Professor John Alfieri. In 2009, he received the Interlochen Arts Academy’s Percussion Award.

A clinic with master musician Billy Hart changed Shawn’s life and inspired him to apply to Oberlin Conservatory. Currently attending Oberlin with a Merit Scholarship, Shawn studies drums and percussion under Billy Hart and Jamey Haddad as well as many other professors. He is exposed to traditional and modern concepts of music.

In the summer of 2010, Shawn led a group of Oberlin musicians all from California (Oberlin Pacific Quintet or Opaque, for short) as they played various venues throughout Northern California.

Shawn recently studied Drums and Dancing in Ghana during June 2011 with professor Joe Galeota of Berklee College of Music. It changed his life and opened his ears and eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.

Now in his Senior year at Oberlin Conservatory, Shawn is in many diverse groups ranging from trios to the Oberlin Big Band. He has had groups coached by Jamey Haddad, Billy Hart, Dennis Reynolds, Bobby Ferrazza, Robin Eubanks, Paul Samuels, Jay Ashby, Leo Blanco as well as many others.

Awards

Interlochen Arts Academy 2009 Percussion Award, Oberlin Merit Scholarship

Gear

Gretsch Renown Maple Drums, Istanbul 16 hats, Bosphorus Vintage Masters 22" Ride, Zildjian K Dry 21" Ride

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