Dean has a Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance and Composition from Metro State University in Denver, CO. Additionally, He has been a private percussion teacher for many years, teaching all styles of music including jazz, rock, blues, drum set, marching percussion and classical percussion to students of all ages. He began teaching as a student mentor with the Colorado Honor Band Association. Dean teaches composition to elementary students with the Young Composers Program. Furthermore, he played a crucial role in coaching the state-champion D’Evelyn High School marching band percussion section 3 years in a row.
Dean has an extensive performance background. His bucket-drumming trio The New York Street Boys performed all over the world. He has been a member of the Denver Nuggets Skyline drum line and the Denver Broncos Stampede. Both groups perform at home games as well as performances locally and internationally. Dean plays with the rock band FaceMan. FaceMan Tours nationally and has performed at the world famous Red Rocks Amphitheater. Another of Dean’s favorite projects is playing percussion with the Jesse Manley Band. The JMB collaborates regularly with the Wonderbound dance company. With Wonderbound, JMB has performed with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra performing Jesse’s music. In addition, Dean also manages and arranges music for the Tivoli Club Brass Band. The Tivoli Club plays modern music arranged in the style and instrumentation of a New Orleans Brass Band.
Lessons with Dean are $33 for 30 minute lessons. Discounts are available for 45 and 60 minute weekly lessons.
Dustin Arndt is a professional percussion educator and performer living in Castle Rock, CO. He is a graduate from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2006 with a degree in percussion performance. Notably, music has been a driving force in Dustin’s life and it is his true passion to share it with everyone.
For twenty years Dustin has worked as a high school percussion specialist coach throughout the Denver, CO metro area, working with some of Colorado’s top high school percussion ensembles. For the past 7 years he worked as the assistant band director, and director of percussion studies at the award winning Arapahoe High School Instrumental Music Program. During Dustin’s tenure the AHS Marching Band was a consistent state finalist. Moreover, the Winter Percussion Ensemble medaled in 6 of the 7 years he was the director. This culminated with the Percussion Ensemble being the 2019 state champions, and making their debut at the Winter Guard International World Championships in Dayton, OH. Notably, Arapahoe earned a finalist spot at world championships and ended in 6th place in the world. In 2020, Arapahoe was the WGI Regional Champion before their season was cut short due to the pandemic. Despite retiring from the competitive world of percussion, he continues to work with the Arapahoe bands as a percussion specialist.
As a performer, Dustin has been fortunate enough to travel the world, performing in many different countries, including the U.S., Canada, and Singapore. Currently, Dustin is one of three percussionists for the Tivoli Club Brass Band as well as being the drum set player for Reptiles and Samurai (Denver’s premier Oingo Boingo tribute band), the East Colfax Trio, and Bear Goes North. In addition to these bands, Dustin also freelances as a percussionist and drum set player for many Colorado bands and musical theater productions.
Dustin is very proud to be an artist for Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets. He lives in Castle Rock, CO. with his wife Erin, twin daughters Lily, and Molly, two cats Lumos and Nox, and one very spoiled dog named Ripley..
Dustin Arndt Drum Lessons