Jake Harkins is currently pursuing a percussion performance degree and masters of music education as a junior from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Professor Michael Rosen. Jake began his musical studies at age five on the piano and violin, and composition and percussion at age nine. At Oberlin Conservatory he performs with the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Opera pit, Wind Ensemble, Contemporary Music Ensemble, and various chamber ensembles such as Oberlin Percussion Group. His most recent private instructors were John Tafoya, former principal timpanist, National Symphony Orchestra; Janis Potter, marimba soloist, formerly with "The Presidents Own" United States Marine Band; Dr. Randall Eyles, formerly with the United States Air Force Band; and Randy Johnson, percussionist with The United States Navy Band. Jake is recipient of the 2008 Avedis Zildjian Percussion Scholarship for “Excellence in the Art of Percussion.” The National Society of Arts and Letters recently honored Jake with a "Certificate of Merit for Excellence in the Art's" in cooperation with the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. He was also selected as the Val and Venus Eddy Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2006 Scholarship recipient. He has received the National Band Association Outstanding Musician Award "for excellence in musicianship, citizenship and leadership," the American Musical Foundation Music Award "for outstanding musical talent, dedication and service" and the USSA National Band Association Outstanding Musician Award "for outstanding musicianship, dependability, enthusiasm, leadership, and responsibility." He has also been awarded the "Dr. Garwood Whaley Award for Excellence in Instrumental Music." Jake was invited as a representative for Virginia by the Sound Of America for its summer 2006 European Concert Tour, and was featured with the Serapis Wind Ensemble as solo marimbist, performing Paul Creston's "Concertino for Marimba." Over the past summer Jake served as Professor Rosen’s assistent for Oberlin Percussion Institute, and attended the Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific festival in British Columbia, Canada as principal timpanist for Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” At Oberlin Jake has found the joy in collaborating with many composers, both student and professional, priemering various percussion solos and chamber works, including the 2009 priemer of “Aquarium” by Massimo Lauricella. As a sophmore he participated in the Oberlin Orchestra’s 2009 West Coast Tour as assistent timpanist featured on the LA Philharmonic’s concert series in the Walt Disney Concert Hall for Mahler’s Symphony 1. Jake organized OPG’s (Oberlin Percussion Group) tour to Austin, Texas when they were invited to perform at PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention) 2008. In collaboration with Oberlin’s Musical Union, he has served as principal timpanist for large works for choir and orchestra such as Mendelsohn’s “Elija,” Verdi’s “Requiem,” Elgar’s “Music Makers,” and most recently Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. Over January terms Jake has participated in various projects with fellow students such establishing an Oprheus stlye (conductor-less) orchestra, and organizing concerts at homeless shelters in Cleveland. He collaborates frequently with student conductors, performing large scale symphonies such as Tych. 5th, concertos such as Rach. Piano Concerto No. 2, and chamber works such as Mozart Symphony No. 39. He has also served as percussionist and timpanist for the Oberlin Bass Ensemble and Trombone Choir and Opera pit. Jake studies conducting privatly with Bridget Reisch and is excited at the prospect of conducting the primer of his own Third Symphony within the next year. He also teaches private lessons to local students varying from ages 7-18 and some students that attend Oberlin College. In his spare time Jake seves as woodwind/brass/percussion representative on Orchestra Committee and Conservatory Council, selected by his peers, and participates in an invitation only reading orchestra that meets weekly to work with the Masters of Conducting students. He also works for the Conservatory Admissions office giving information sessions to prospective students and their families and gives tours of the conservatory as the percussion liason for prospective percussionists during auditions each year. Since 2004, Jake has traveled on annual European Concert tours to Germany, Belgium, Austria and France, with his Woodwind Quintet op.33 premiered at the latter. He has attended private percussion workshops at Oberlin Conservatory, Boston University's Tanglewood Institute, the University of Maryland, and the Juilliard School of Music. Jake most recently participated in master classes led by So Percussion, Frederic Macarez, and Jean Geoffroy. With numerous solo percussion concerts and over 15 professional recordings with various Symphony Orchestras and Wind Ensembles to his credit, he has performed at such prestigious venues as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., the Palace of Thurn und Taxis in Germany, and the Palais du Littoral in France. This year Jake is excited to be giving his first solo recital. “Its an overwhelming thought, asking an audience to have your undivided attention for 30 minuets of solo percussion music,” Jake said. “And my goal is to give my concert all from memory, which will probably make the entire thing look even more made up!” he laughs. In his free time Jake enjoys studying art history, baking bread, painting, cooking for his friends, drinking tea, running, reading, and taking naps.