Eric Jones - Percussion

Eric Jones is a native of West Michigan having graduated from Caledonia High School where he studied with Don Raaymakers, director of the Strike Percussion Ensemble. After high school he went on to study with the late Robert Hohner at Central Michigan University until his passing. After the death of Mr. Hohner, Eric was a founding member of the Percussion Works Project under the umbrella of the Hohner Institute of Percussion (HIP) which was led by Jeffrey White. While performing across the state with HIP, he continued his studies at Central Michigan University with former Principal Timpanist of the West Michigan Symphony, Andrew Spencer. Eric received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music from CMU before continuing his studies at Michigan State University as a Masters of Music candidate under Gwendolyn (Burgett) Dease. He was the principal timpanist of the Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Leon Gregorian.

Eric has been a member of the West Michigan Symphony and Midland Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and Andrews University Orchestra. Eric was also a member of the Legacy Percussion Orchestra that performed at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho. That group was led by David Zerbe. Eric also spent many years teaching private lessons and drumlines in Walled Lake, Clarkston, Grand Ledge, and Caledonia schools before stepping down to focus on his full-time job in retail management.

An avid fan of all things Detroit and Michigan State sports, Eric now lives in South Bend, IN, with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs.

Sponsored by Cornelia Holley & Sheryl Westcott