Percussion in the Valley Summer Percussion Camp 2025
A week long focus on percussion: June 2-6, 2025
Don't miss this wonderful chance to learn more about percussion, improve on your skills and technique, and have fun along the way! Enrollment will begin February 1st for the 2025 summer camp. Space is limited, so don't delay in registering. Scholarship money is available to those needing assistance, please inquire for more information. If you have any questions, and to make sure there is still space in the camp, please contact Meggie Aube by e-mail or phone. What a great summer this will be!
Are you traveling from Anchorage or a farther distance in the Valley? Contact Meggie to organize car-pooling options with other students in your area! Don't let the distance stop you from attending the summer camp. We will help you find a way to get here!
Are you traveling from Anchorage or a farther distance in the Valley? Contact Meggie to organize car-pooling options with other students in your area! Don't let the distance stop you from attending the summer camp. We will help you find a way to get here!
Summer Camp Brochure
For more info on the camp, please read the camp brochure:
What does a typical camp day look like? Example Camp Schedule
Session 1- Ages 5-9, no experience necessary
9:00- 9:15- welcome and warm-ups
9:15- 9:45- mallet percussion and hand drumming (two groups split between ability levels)
9:45- 10:00- game and snack with camp counselors
10:00- 10:30- mallet percussion and hand drumming (groups split)
10:30- 10:45- rhythm games/activities with camp counselors
10:45- Dismissal
Session 2- Ages 9-18 with one year of experience
11:00- 11:15- warm-ups and African drumming
11-15- 1:00- Groups split into levels for mallet percussion, snare drum technique, and percussion ensemble and rotate between
1:00- 1:30- lunch and practice time
1:30- 1:45- activity with camp counselors
1:45- 2:15- all camp percussion ensemble
2:15- 4:00- Groups split and take classed in steel drums, drumset, and Brazilian percussion
4:00- Dismissal
9:00- 9:15- welcome and warm-ups
9:15- 9:45- mallet percussion and hand drumming (two groups split between ability levels)
9:45- 10:00- game and snack with camp counselors
10:00- 10:30- mallet percussion and hand drumming (groups split)
10:30- 10:45- rhythm games/activities with camp counselors
10:45- Dismissal
Session 2- Ages 9-18 with one year of experience
11:00- 11:15- warm-ups and African drumming
11-15- 1:00- Groups split into levels for mallet percussion, snare drum technique, and percussion ensemble and rotate between
1:00- 1:30- lunch and practice time
1:30- 1:45- activity with camp counselors
1:45- 2:15- all camp percussion ensemble
2:15- 4:00- Groups split and take classed in steel drums, drumset, and Brazilian percussion
4:00- Dismissal
Register for the 2025 Summer Camp Today!
Please contact Dr. Meggie Aube to make sure you sign up for the appropriate session and to ensure there is still space available. Then download the application form below and mail it with the enrollment fee to:
Percussion in the Valley
241 N. Oscar St.
Palmer, AK 99645
Percussion in the Valley
241 N. Oscar St.
Palmer, AK 99645
Enrollment Form:
| percussion_camp_applicaiton_2025.pdf |
2025 Camp Faculty
Dr. Meggie Aube
Camp Artistic Director
Palmer, AK
Dr. Aube is a percussion performer and educator living in Palmer, AK. She maintains her teaching studio, Percussion in the Valley which includes students of all ages, offering private and group lessons, classes, and workshops. Meggie is the director of community percussion ensemble, the Matanuska Beat that gives the opportunity for adults age 18 and older, across the Mat-Su Valley to play and perform in an active percussion ensemble. In addition she is a music professor at Mat-Su College. She performs actively as a soloist and in many ensembles throughout the state. Dr. Aube earned her bachelor of Music from University of Alaska, Anchorage and her master’s and doctor of musical arts degrees from the University of Iowa under the instruction of Dr. Dan Moore. Meggie lives in Palmer with her husband, daughter, and dog. In her spare times she loves to enjoy the beauty the valley has to offer while hiking, camping and gardening.
Camp Artistic Director
Palmer, AK
Dr. Aube is a percussion performer and educator living in Palmer, AK. She maintains her teaching studio, Percussion in the Valley which includes students of all ages, offering private and group lessons, classes, and workshops. Meggie is the director of community percussion ensemble, the Matanuska Beat that gives the opportunity for adults age 18 and older, across the Mat-Su Valley to play and perform in an active percussion ensemble. In addition she is a music professor at Mat-Su College. She performs actively as a soloist and in many ensembles throughout the state. Dr. Aube earned her bachelor of Music from University of Alaska, Anchorage and her master’s and doctor of musical arts degrees from the University of Iowa under the instruction of Dr. Dan Moore. Meggie lives in Palmer with her husband, daughter, and dog. In her spare times she loves to enjoy the beauty the valley has to offer while hiking, camping and gardening.
Erik Chronister
Faculty Member
Anchorage, AK
Erik has been an active teacher and performer in the Anchorage area over the past twenty years. Having received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with an emphasis in percussion from UAA, Erik currently works full time as the Director of Instrumental Music at Grace Christian School, where he teaches concert band, jazz band, orchestra, and percussion ensemble. Along with teaching, Erik enjoys performing as a freelance musician in a number of community groups in styles ranging from Latin jazz to blues and rock.
Faculty Member
Anchorage, AK
Erik has been an active teacher and performer in the Anchorage area over the past twenty years. Having received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with an emphasis in percussion from UAA, Erik currently works full time as the Director of Instrumental Music at Grace Christian School, where he teaches concert band, jazz band, orchestra, and percussion ensemble. Along with teaching, Erik enjoys performing as a freelance musician in a number of community groups in styles ranging from Latin jazz to blues and rock.
John Damberg
Faculty Member
Anchorage, AK
John Damberg is a master vibist, marimbist, percussionist, composer, and educator who has enjoyed a successful career in music spanning 50 years. John resides in Anchorage, Alaska where he is the leader of the John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet, the Instructor of Percussion at the University of Alaska Anchorage, the founder and President of the Alaska Jazz Workshop (AJW), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit community service organization promoting jazz education and performance opportunities in Alaska. He is the past President and Vice President of the Percussive Arts Society Alaska Chapter. John is an active performer and educator in Alaska and Pacific Northwest. He is an ardent promoter of jazz & percussion education.
Faculty Member
Anchorage, AK
John Damberg is a master vibist, marimbist, percussionist, composer, and educator who has enjoyed a successful career in music spanning 50 years. John resides in Anchorage, Alaska where he is the leader of the John Damberg Latin Jazz Quintet, the Instructor of Percussion at the University of Alaska Anchorage, the founder and President of the Alaska Jazz Workshop (AJW), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit community service organization promoting jazz education and performance opportunities in Alaska. He is the past President and Vice President of the Percussive Arts Society Alaska Chapter. John is an active performer and educator in Alaska and Pacific Northwest. He is an ardent promoter of jazz & percussion education.
Kyle Drake
Faculty Member
Anchorage, AK
Kyle Drake came to Alaska when his family moved up here in 1984 as part of the military and Anchorage has been home ever since. Kyle graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), in 2006. In 2008 Kyle earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching through UAA. For the past fifteen years Kyle has been teaching elementary music for the Anchorage School District. Kyle has studied percussion from the age of eleven studying with instructors John Damberg, Greg Holloway and Robert Arms to name a few. In addition to his public school teaching job Kyle is active in the music community teaching private lessons and playing with various local bands and groups.
Faculty Member
Anchorage, AK
Kyle Drake came to Alaska when his family moved up here in 1984 as part of the military and Anchorage has been home ever since. Kyle graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), in 2006. In 2008 Kyle earned his Masters of Arts in Teaching through UAA. For the past fifteen years Kyle has been teaching elementary music for the Anchorage School District. Kyle has studied percussion from the age of eleven studying with instructors John Damberg, Greg Holloway and Robert Arms to name a few. In addition to his public school teaching job Kyle is active in the music community teaching private lessons and playing with various local bands and groups.
Jade Ferneza
Faculty Member
Palmer, AK
Jade Ferneza is an educator and percussionist living in Palmer, AK. She has been studying percussion for over 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Master of Education in Special Education from Slippery Rock University, and her Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Education from Columbia College. She moved to Alaska to explore this beautiful state a few years ago, and has taught special education at MSBSD since. Previously, she has taught preschool music, marching band, concert band, private lessons, and small group music classes for students with disabilities in various locations throughout NY and PA. She remains active in music by teaching private lessons and performing with local community groups.
Faculty Member
Palmer, AK
Jade Ferneza is an educator and percussionist living in Palmer, AK. She has been studying percussion for over 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Master of Education in Special Education from Slippery Rock University, and her Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Education from Columbia College. She moved to Alaska to explore this beautiful state a few years ago, and has taught special education at MSBSD since. Previously, she has taught preschool music, marching band, concert band, private lessons, and small group music classes for students with disabilities in various locations throughout NY and PA. She remains active in music by teaching private lessons and performing with local community groups.
Tyler Martin
Faculty Member
Wasilla, AK
Tyler Martin is a percussionist and music teacher living in Wasilla, AK. Before moving to Alaska, Tyler taught middle school & high school band in Mobile, Alabama. He is now the director of bands at Wasilla High School. In his career, he has regularly been teaching drumline, concert band, orchestra, marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and private lessons in percussion. Tyler graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education from Auburn University in 2018 and is working towards earning a master's degree in music education from William Carey University.
Faculty Member
Wasilla, AK
Tyler Martin is a percussionist and music teacher living in Wasilla, AK. Before moving to Alaska, Tyler taught middle school & high school band in Mobile, Alabama. He is now the director of bands at Wasilla High School. In his career, he has regularly been teaching drumline, concert band, orchestra, marching band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and private lessons in percussion. Tyler graduated with a bachelor's degree in music education from Auburn University in 2018 and is working towards earning a master's degree in music education from William Carey University.
Pictures from 2024 Summer Camp
Pictures from 2023 Summer Camp
Pictures from 2022 Summer Camp
Pictures from 2021 Summer Camp
Pictures from 2019 Summer Camp
Pictures from 2018 Summer Camp
