Dr. Kellen King is currently Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Western Oregon University. He directs the WOU Percussion Ensemble, teaches applied lessons, lectures a variety of music courses, and oversees all percussion activities in the Music Department. He has presented at OMEA and performed at PASIC, TMEA, and MMC. He also serves as the Oregon Percussive Arts Society Chapter Secretary and is a member of the national PAS Music Technology Committee. Kellen is an avid educator, researcher, and well-versed performer in classical and contemporary percussion, having spent most of career focusing on solo, chamber, and electroacoustic music. As an educator, Kellen has previously instructed at The University of Texas at Austin, Ithaca College, and Cornell University.
Kellen has performed a number of solo, chamber, and large ensemble concerts, including PASIC
performances with The University of Texas Percussion Ensemble and The University of Texas Wind Ensemble, in addition to soloing with The University of Texas New Music Ensemble and being a featured guest artist at institutions across the country. During his education, Kellen studied with Dr. Thomas Burritt, Gordon Stout, Judy Moonert, Tony Edwards, Conrad Alexander, and Greg Evans.
Kellen is currently the Front Ensemble Arranger and Sound Designer for Genesis Percussion Independent World ensemble. Additionally, he has served as the front ensemble coordinator at Leander High School (Bands of America Grand National Finalist: 5th place 2019, 6th place 2016) from 2015-2019. Kellen has taught and arranged music at an array of music organizations across the United States; teaching elite competitive marching band, applied lessons, steel pan ensembles, jazz ensembles, masterclasses, and chamber music.
Kellen earned his degrees from Western Michigan University (B.M. Music Education and Music
Performance), Ithaca College (M.M. Percussion Performance), and The University of Texas at Austin (D.M.A. Percussion Performance).
Kellen is an artist and clinician for Innovative Percussion, Black Swamp Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo, Inc.
Why Remo? "Throughout my performing career, I have relied heavily on Remo products to reach a level of musicality that cannot be attained with other brands of percussion products. In any performing situation, Remo is my drumhead of choice as they have the best tone, sound production, and durability of any other drumhead."
