John Gurke Drum Studio

Hi! Professional music educator, clinician, composer/arranger, performing and recording artist now enrolling new students to study percussion/drums. I am a UNT graduate, the former percussion director at Texas Wesleyan University and have taught in the classroom and privately for 20 years. I've studied with Ed Soph, Dr Robert Schietroma, Ron Fink, Greg Bisonnette and Ignacio Berora, as well as performed with or on the same billing as Cheap Trick, Vince Neil (Motley Crue), The Supremes, Sting and even auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne. My experience in percussion pedagogy has proven to be a successful one. For eighteen consecutive years, I have placed a percussionist in the 5A/6A UIL Texas State Wind Ensemble, percussionists in the UIL All Region Jazz Band (4A and 3A), 2000 “High Drums” Award, 2001 all 12 percussion ensembles received 1st Division Status (6 of 12 received outstanding “honor” ensemble awards), 2004 100% percussionists in All-Region Band Freshman 5A (all 6 percussionists were my students), 2010 Outstanding Percussion Section, 2010 Outstanding Cymbal Line, 95% private students consistently receiving 1st Division Status at UIL Solo and Ensemble Competition and most recently, the Prosper Drum Line winning the 2015 NTCA Championship, a freshman percussion student receiving “Outstanding Soloist” for his performance of Caritas at State S/E and senior percussionist achievement the 6A All State Wind Ensemble 2nd chair position. Consistently recognized for outstanding performance, I have been a vital part of programs achieving the Sudler Flag of Honor, State Honor Band Awards, numerous UIL Sweepstakes Awards, Outstanding Student Recognition at the State Level of UIL Competition, Outstanding Drum Line Awards, Outstanding Percussion Ensemble Awards and have a number of endorsements based on my experience and success. I have also owned my own production company and extremely knowledgeable in audio/video production, recorded/live performance, artists CD packaging (press kit/portfolio/bio), booking/managing artist, designing artists blogs, managing clients, accounts payable/receivable and all of the logistics involved owning your own business.