About
Justin Truitt is an accomplished arranger, composer, clinician, percussionist, multi-instrumentalist, and educator with more than 30 years of experience in music, having playing music since the age of three. In addition to his experience performing with many musicians all around North America and Mexico, Justin holds two Bachelor’s degrees with an emphasis in Music Education and Percussion Performance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He has earned a Masters of Music in Percussion Performance from UNLV as well. As a performer, Justin has excelled in the World of Drum and Bugle Corps, having marched with the Phantom Legion in 1999 and the Phantom Regiment in 2002. That same year (2002), he became a world champion percussionist, by winning Drum Corps International Individual Solo and Ensemble competitions for his original composition, “Dream Wave”.
Justin now balances a successful career as a percussionist and music educator in Las Vegas and on the west coast, with feats like appearances in Modern Drummer Magazine and the Percussive Notes journal for his contributions to percussion as well as an upcoming album release with his band, the Vegas Strip Kings. Justin has been a music educator for 14 years, working first as the Assistant Director/Front Ensemble Specialist of the Vegas Vanguard Independent Drumline (now Vegas Vanguard Percussion Theater) from 2004-2008. He later served as the Director of Bands, Guitar, and Percussion at Spring Valley High School (2008-2013), which received excellent and superior ratings every year of his tenure. From 2013-2018, Justin served as the Director of Orchestras and Percussion at Lied Middle School (now Lied STEM Academy). Justin is now the Director of Bands and Percussion at Lied. Mr. Truitt is also the Vice President of the Nevada Percussive Arts Society, of which he has also served as a musical clinician for the last eight years. He is the owner of a successful private music lesson studio, which specializes in all areas of percussion concentration. Justin is also part of the Vic Firth Education Team and is a Yamaha Local Hero Artist. Justin proudly endorses Randall May International, Remo Drum Heads, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth sticks and mallets and Yamaha Drums.
I believe I make a positive impact on students lives using music as the guiding principle.
Specialties
Able to read music
Musical styles
Years experience
Types of drums
Lesson length
Student's age
Student have drums
Photos and videos
Reviews
Tanja B.
Robin G.
Ian H.
Jonathan T.
Mike
Megan R.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Technique exercises
rudimental warm-ups
music theory
music reading
active Listening
chart writing
music writing
music production
performance
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have won two world championships in percussion. 30 years of live performance experience. I have two Bachelor's degrees in Percussion and Music Esucation as well as a Masters in Percussion all from UNLV. I have also been a band director in the Clark County School District for the past 16 years.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$30 for 1/2 hour
$45 for 45 minutes
$60 for 1 hour
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching high school drumlines while in college. I also Vegas teaching private lessons at the same time.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages and ability levels.