Joanna Huling, Percussionist
Joanna Huling is a versatile and dynamic percussionist and drummer in the Washington D.C./Baltimore region. She has performed throughout the United States and Europe, with venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Music Center at Strathmore, Maryland Theatre, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, and Schlesinger Hall among many others.
Performance
As a pit musician, Joanna recently played percussion in Arena Stage (DC) productions of Disney’s Newsies and Anything Goes, and has performed numerous shows throughout the region on both percussion and drums.
She has performed in televised productions on PBS A Capitol Fourth, backing Keala Settle (“This is Me” from The Greatest Showman) and Lauren Alaina, (“Road Less Traveled”). She has also appeared with acclaimed artists such as GRAMMY Nominee Jenny Oaks Baker, as well as Latin GRAMMY Winner and highly acclaimed children’s musician Mister G
As an orchestral/concert percussionist and timpanist, Joanna has performed with the Maryland Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Washington Opera Sociaty, Annapolis Opera, Mid-Atlantic Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Apollo Orchestra, Post-Classical Ensemble, Maryland Symphony, and Brass of the Potomac among many others. From 2006 to 2011 she held the position of Principal Timpanist of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic. Classical recording credits include recordings with Brass of the Potomac, Washington National Cathedral Choir, American Boychoir, Peabody Wind Ensemble, and the Peabody Percussion Ensemble.
Joanna also performed on numerous occasions with the Sean McArdle Band at the Black Cat in Washington, D.C., and recorded with the Sean McArdle Band (“Charades” and “Cold Out There”) as well as Dennis Kane (“The Two of Us”).
“Joanna is a phenomenal percussionist and musician. I have performed with Joanna countless times and her playing, professionalism, and musicianship are world-class. She is always prepared and has a positive attitude on and off stage. It has been a joy to be able to collaborate with her!”
– Jenny Oaks Baker, GRAMMY nominee
Joanna is a founding member of EnviroDrum – Maryland, a franchise of the hugely successful original Enviro Drum show featuring performance on “found percussion” such as household items, with a high level of audience engagement.
Instruction
Joanna Huling is a dedicated educator, and is the Founder and Music Director of the Mercury Rising Percussion Ensemble, which is a supplemental program open to all percussion students that provides opportunities for students to perform in one of two ensembles based on experience. She instructs a busy private studio and has served as Percussion Faculty at the International School of Music in Bethesda, MD and the Music and Arts Center in Ellicott City, MD.
Joanna offers private percussion lessons in her professionally-equipped studio with emphasis on general percussion, drumset, timpani, and all mallet instruments. Many of her students have successfully auditioned for numerous advanced programs in Maryland and beyond, including the Interlochen Arts Camp, Summer@Eastman, Baltimore School for the Arts, Maryland All State Band (Junior and Senior), Maryland Youth Symphony Orchestra, Howard County GT Bands, and various other music festivals.
World Premieres
In 2009, Joanna commissioned and premiered James Kazik’s Percussion Concerto. In this composition, the soloist is featured on marimba, vibraphone, concert toms, bass drum, and brake drums. She also performed as a soloist in the World Premiere of Philip Glass’ Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Wind Ensemble, with Jonathan Haas and the Peabody Wind Ensemble.
Recordings
Joanna may be heard on various recordings with groups such as the Brass of the Potomac, Washington National Cathedral Choir, American Boychoir, Peabody Wind Ensemble, and the Peabody Percussion Ensemble. She has also recorded with the Sean McArdle Band (“Charades” and “Cold Out There”) as well as Dennis Kane (“The Two of Us”).
Education
Joanna Huling earned her Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. At the Peabody Conservatory, she studied with Jonathan Haas and Paul Fadoul. Her previous instructors include William Trigg and Mark Bencivengo.
Résumé Highlights
Musical Theater – Regional
Disney’s Newsies, Arena Stage (Washington D.C.) – percussion
Anything Goes, Arena Stage (Washington D.C.) – percussion
Musical Theater – Other
Percussion: Crazy for You, Into the Woods, Man of La Mancha, 1776, Ragtime, My Fair Lady, Secret Garden, West Side Story
Drums: Freaky Friday, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cabaret
Shows/Specials/Bands
PBS: A Capitol Fourth – Keala Settle, Lauren Alaina
GRAMMY nominee Jenny Oaks Baker
Latin GRAMMY winner Mister G
Step Afrika!, Symphony in Step
EnviroDrum Maryland
Sean McArdle Band
Dennis Kane
Premieres
Percussion Concerto, James Kazik. Commission and World Premiere
Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Wind Ensemble. Philip Glass, arr. Lortz. World Premiere
Memberships
AFM Washington DC Local 161-710
AFM Baltimore Local 40-543
Theatre Musicians Association
Percussive Arts Society
MAESTRA