Educator, performer, arranger, and instrument technician specializing in the percussive arts.
Teach
Write
Consult
Shoupe has taught music in middle school, high school, and collegiate settings.
Austin (Shoupe to most of his students) serves as the Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Tennessee - Martin as well as the marching percussion instructor and arranger for UTM’s Aviator Marching Band. He has previously held percussion teaching positions with the University of Kentucky, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, Woodford County High School, DeKalb High School, and Wheaton North High School. He was also the director of instrumental music at Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford, Il.
Austin has taught percussion ensemble, wind band, percussion sectionals, percussion methods, general music courses, marching percussion, and private lessons covering a range of western, symphonic, contemporary, and world music topics.
Due to his experience in and passion for the public education system, Austin’s research and publication is typically focused on educational topics. He has created media published by both the Percussive Arts Society and the Yamaha Educator’s Suite. Additionally, his doctoral research involves the analysis of common middle school and high school level multiple percussion literature to create a more effective curriclum for the discipline.
As a performer, Austin specializes in western symphonic percussion as well as the adaption of folkloric idioms into the symphonic setting. He is currently a member of The Jackson Symphony. He has also performed with ensembles such as the Chicago Symphonic Winds, the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Rockford Wind Ensemble, and the Wheaton and DeKalb Municipal Bands. He has also performed in musical productions produced by Interlochen Summer Musical Theatre, Elgin Summer Theatre, Elgin Community College, the Stage Coach Players, and the Jedlicka Performing Arts Center.
A versatile percussionist, Austin’s skills also cover various world music and contemporary styles including rock, jazz, Caribbean/Cuban, and Brazilian music.
Austin’s performances are characterized by the juxtaposition of classical music’s attention to detail against the immediate emotional expression of contemporary music.
Through his musical life, Austin has been described as a gear nerd. His knowledge of how instruments are built and generate sound has lead him to being a respected consultant and instrument repair technician.
Austin has been an equipment coordinator for organizations such as the University of Kentucky, the music educator’s associations of Kentucky and Illinois, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, and the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp. In these roles he has provided insight into purchasing and selection of instruments as well as addressed the logistical demands of various festivals, camps, and concerts.
Always obsessed with the sounds percussion instruments can generate, Austin has endlessly tinkered, altered, and repaired instruments of all kinds. He also has developed a near unrivaled knowledge of the various products available in the percussion instrument market.
Austin Shoupe is a part of the Black Swamp Percussion Educators’ Network. He endorses Zildjian cymbals and Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets.
Get in Touch
Need something? Lessons? Arranging? Clinics or other teaching? Fill out the form on the contact page and you’ll hear back within 24-48 hours.