second-year graduate assistant under Koontz, has also joined musicians from all around the world to perform at numerous Global Rhythms concerts at Miami University in Ohio. Stephenson’s first “major” experience with the EKU Percussion Studio was a trip to Brazil, where students studied the music and culture in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador de Bahia. Shortly after that trip, he and a fellow percussion student traveled to Chennai, India, to teach about steel drums and other types of Western percussion at the KM Conservatory for Music. As part of the Trinidad trip, he performed in the Panorama competition. “All three were excellent opportunities, where I not only grew as a musician but as a person as well,” Stephenson said. Interestingly, though he grew up an avid percussionist in school bands, Koontz didn’t originally pursue a career in music, instead ABOVE, LEFT: Koontz plays African and Brasilian percussion with members of the EKU Percussion Studio during REC the Ravine in 2015, while his 4-year-old daughter plays shaker beside him. LEFT: Koontz provides lecture demonstrations at a Japanese elementary school in Hokuto City, Japan, in 2013 during an artist exchange for the Madison County International Club. BELOW: Koontz and a percussion ensemble rehearse Phil Faini’s “Bravura” in the Foster Music Building on Dec. 8, 2016.
28 SPRING 2017