Byron Hedgepeth

Byron Hedgepeth enjoys performing on a wide array of percussion instruments, embracing classical, jazz, contemporary, and world music.

His passion for drumming began while studying piano and violin at an early age. When his parents gave him a drum set for Christmas, he was immediately fascinated. Practicing constantly and forming rock bands with friends, Byron performed concerts whenever the opportunity arose. He later learned to play the timpani, marimba, vibraphone, and hand drums as well.

The desire to study percussion led him to studio recording artist and percussion instructor Joy Gentile at Mars Hill College. After completing a bachelor of music degree, he continued his studies with music education professor Charles Leonhard and percussion instructor Tom Siwe at the University of Illinois, where he completed a masters degree.

Upon returning to the mountains of North Carolina, Byron continued to pursue his career as a performer and educator. Having been inspired by the teachings of Joy Gentile and Charles Leonhard, he decided to begin his own teaching studio. Byron's teaching philosophy is founded on the concept of learning by doing. He believes that the teacher must provide creative, imaginative, aesthetic, and meaningful experiences that result in a change of behavior for the student. Many of Byron's students have become very successful, continuing to exciting music careers throughout the United States and abroad.

Writing music has played an important role in Byron's more recent musical path. His music expresses vividly the hopes and fears of life's journey. This is especially true of his song "Going Away," which was inspired by the life and passing of his grandfather.

Byron is composer in residence and on the advisory board of the Jazz Composer's Forum in Asheville. He has performed and recorded with flutist Kate Steinbeck; pianists Mark Levine, Bill Gerhardt, and Jack Coker; singer songwriters Judy Collins, David Wilcox, and Fran McKendree; and percussionist Glen Velez. He is principal timpanist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and has been featured as a concert soloist. Byron now teaches privately at his home studio in Black Mountain and at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where he is Director of Percussion Studies.

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