Biography

Neil has served as an instructor at the Kansas State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance since 2005. He has taught in a variety of areas that includes Music for Dancers, Dance Appreciation, Composition for Dancers, Dance Accompanying, West African Music and Dance, Applied Percussion, and Percussion Ensemble. Neil also has served Production Manager and Stage Manager for K-State Dance productions. 

Neil earned a Bachelor of Music at Weber State University in Ogden, Ut in 1998 and a Master of Music with a Percussion Performance Emphasis from the University of Arizona in 2002 and is Principal Timpanist for the Topeka Symphony and Arizona Opera Orchestras.  Neil is a trained HealthRHYTHMS facilitator. Neil studied West African music and dance with Bernard Woma, Dorwana Tijan and other teachers in Ghana, West African and the U.S.  

Teacher

Neil teaches private and group lesson in percussion Click here for more information on Neil's teaching studio.

Dance musician/Composer

Neil was introduced to dance accompanying at Weber State University in 1994. His love for dance was immediate and has been a big part of his career ever since. After moving to Tucson, he worked closely with the University of Arizona School of Dance as an educator, composer, and senior accompanist from 2000 to 2005. Neil has performed with dance at ACDFA, PASIC, and Jazz Dance World Congress, in addition to international venues.

Click HERE to go to the Quick Course in Dance Accompanying page.

Compositions

2013 ETP4, Julie L. Pentz, Choreographer.

2011 So Tolle for gyil (African xylophone) and tape. Commissioned by Michael Vercelli, premiered February, 2011

2009, Jolt,  Julie L. Pentz, Choreographer.

Backfire for two percussionists

2008, Dali after the Trees (There Are No Words), a multi-media work with Julie Pentz, choreographer, and Dan Matthews, designer performed at SpringDance 2008, KSU

2007, Echo, WINNER of the James P. and Shirley J. O'Brien composition contest sponsored by the University Of Arizona Ensembles, Crosstalk and World Music Gang, with Julie Pentz, choreographer featuring the KSU Percussion Ensemble, performed at SpringDance 2008.

Catch 22, with Julie Pentz, choreographer featuring the KSU Percussion Ensemble, performed at SpringDance (Live) 2007, KSU.

2006, Ah, Ha! (Typhoid Stella), Julie Pentz, choreographer. Performed in Sterling, Virginia, Banyoles, Spain, and Castelfollit de la Roca, Spain.

2006, Heartbeat, David Ollington, choreographer

2005, Echoes, James Clouser, choreographer

StepOff, Julie Pentz, choreographer

Episode 2, duet for Percussion, Dance, and Recorded Music, Julie Pentz, choreographer, Premiered in Taipei, Taiwan in May, 2005

2004, Cocoon, (Co-composer, Percussion, Piano, Violin)Nanette Robinson Choreographer / Zuzi Move It! Dance Company

Eclipse, (Percussion and tap dance) Julie L. Pentz, choreographer

2003, ffloid (Electronic percussion and tap dance) Julie L. Pentz, choreographer

Speaking of . . .  (Percussion and tap dance), Julie L. Pentz, Choreographer.

2002, Puddles of Smiles, (Co-composer, percussion, piano, voice, tap dancer)  John Altieri, co-composer, piano and voice, Julie L. Pentz, choreographer 

Untitled, (Percussion duet and dancers) Anton Smith, Choreographer

Improvisation (Percussion and dancers), Tammy Rosen, Choreographer

Improvisation No. 2 (Percussion quartet and dance ensemble), April Greengaard, Choreographer.

N’dowd  (Percussion and dance) Sukie Keita, choreographer

2001, Beatnik (Jazz combo) Holly Seitz, Choreographer

Etude No. 1 for Marimba, Matt Henley, Choreographer

1999 Boundaries, (Percussion and dancers) Holly Seitz, Choreographer

1998 Water, falling, (Co-composer, percussion, piano, cello)  Laura Donnelly, Choreographer

Neil has credit for numerous collaborations with student dance choreographers at the University of Arizona, Weber State University, and local dance companies in Tucson, AZ including ZUZIMoveit! Dance Company and NewARTiculations dance company.  Currently, Neil is working on a series of “customized” CDs for dance class; please feel free to contact him for more information.