Members
Brendan Betyn is an innovative percussionist devoted to sharing his love of music with the masses, and is quickly making a name for himself as freelance performer and educator in the Mid-Atlantic region. From the concert hall to the classroom, Brendan brings an infectious energy to his craft.
Performing with groups large and small, Brendan feels as much at home with a symphony orchestra as he does with a blues band. Brendan has performed with acclaimed groups such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Newprism Ensemble, and the Heritage Players. He has also formed his own groups, Tala Rasa and Mitt3n Percussion, which focus on creating new and exciting contemporary music.
Passionate about influencing generations to come, Brendan has worked as an educator through the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Orchkids program, aimed at giving music education to public schools in the Baltimore area. Through these programs, Brendan hopes to give access to music education in areas where it would otherwise not be possible. He has also given clinics around the country at different schools including Juiliard Pre-College, Interlochen Academy for the Arts, and New York University.
In addition to winning the grand prize in the MFMC (Michigan Federation Music Club) Percussion Competition, Brendan was a finalist in the WAMSO (Woman’s Association of the Minnesota Orchestra) Young Artists Competition. In 2016, he was awarded a Graduate Music Grant from the Presser Foundation.
Brendan is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in music from the Peabody Conservatory where he studies with renowned professor Robert van Sice. He holds degrees from both the Peabody Conservatory and Michigan State University. Brendan is also a Vic Firth Performing Artist.
Performing with groups large and small, Brendan feels as much at home with a symphony orchestra as he does with a blues band. Brendan has performed with acclaimed groups such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Newprism Ensemble, and the Heritage Players. He has also formed his own groups, Tala Rasa and Mitt3n Percussion, which focus on creating new and exciting contemporary music.
Passionate about influencing generations to come, Brendan has worked as an educator through the Baltimore School for the Arts and the Orchkids program, aimed at giving music education to public schools in the Baltimore area. Through these programs, Brendan hopes to give access to music education in areas where it would otherwise not be possible. He has also given clinics around the country at different schools including Juiliard Pre-College, Interlochen Academy for the Arts, and New York University.
In addition to winning the grand prize in the MFMC (Michigan Federation Music Club) Percussion Competition, Brendan was a finalist in the WAMSO (Woman’s Association of the Minnesota Orchestra) Young Artists Competition. In 2016, he was awarded a Graduate Music Grant from the Presser Foundation.
Brendan is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in music from the Peabody Conservatory where he studies with renowned professor Robert van Sice. He holds degrees from both the Peabody Conservatory and Michigan State University. Brendan is also a Vic Firth Performing Artist.
Mark DeMull is a dynamic young percussionist, with a wide breadth of experiences as a performer and educator. He has quickly established himself as an orchestral player, chamber musician, soloist, and teaching artist.
Mark began his musical career in Michigan, where he was a faculty member at Alma College and Saginaw Valley State University. During that time, he presented concerts and masterclasses across the Midwest, captivating audiences with his unique programs, which included ambient music, audience interaction, and fresh takes on classic repertoire. Mark is also active as an orchestral percussionist, and has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the Virginia Opera, among others.
Equally versed in chamber music, Mark is a member of the newly formed MITT3N Percussion trio, which recently began a series of performances and residencies across the country. He is passionate advocate of contemporary music, and has been involved in commissions from composers James Wood, Alejandro Viñao, and Justin Rito.
Mark presently holds faculty positions at the University of Baltimore and York College of Pennsylvania. He studied at Alma College and Michigan State University, and in 2014, moved to Baltimore to pursue a DMA with percussionist Robert van Sice at the Peabody Conservatory.
Mark began his musical career in Michigan, where he was a faculty member at Alma College and Saginaw Valley State University. During that time, he presented concerts and masterclasses across the Midwest, captivating audiences with his unique programs, which included ambient music, audience interaction, and fresh takes on classic repertoire. Mark is also active as an orchestral percussionist, and has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the Virginia Opera, among others.
Equally versed in chamber music, Mark is a member of the newly formed MITT3N Percussion trio, which recently began a series of performances and residencies across the country. He is passionate advocate of contemporary music, and has been involved in commissions from composers James Wood, Alejandro Viñao, and Justin Rito.
Mark presently holds faculty positions at the University of Baltimore and York College of Pennsylvania. He studied at Alma College and Michigan State University, and in 2014, moved to Baltimore to pursue a DMA with percussionist Robert van Sice at the Peabody Conservatory.
Benjamin Mapes is an up-and-coming artist who is passionate about the education of his craft and being a part of the growth of percussion repertoire. Benjamin’s variety of experiences sculpted him to become the versatile percussionist he is today.
Benjamin has a wide variety of performance experiences. He has performed with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Modern Orchestra, Peabody Studio Orchestra, Peabody Camerata, Chatauqua Music School Festival Orchestra, and the Michigan State University Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestras. During his tenure at Michigan State University, Benjamin had the distinct pleasure of performing with the MSU Wind Symphony at the acclaimed Carnegie Hall. He also had the privilege of performing with the MSU Percussion Ensemble at the 2013 Percussion Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), under the direction of Gwendolyn Dease. Benjamin is also a founding member of MITT3N Percussion, which has performed at venues along the East Coast, with upcoming performances in the Midwest.
As an educator, Benjamin has given classes with MITT3N Percussion at York College of Pennsylvania, Curtis Institute of Music and The Johns Hopkins Medical Institute. At Grand Ledge High School, Benjamin served as the percussion instructor for the drumline and front line ensemble as well as private lesson instruction.
An advocate for contemporary music, Benjamin has commissioned numerous pieces from notable composers such as Justin Rito, James Wood, Ivan Trevino, and Alejandro Vinao. He is an original member of MITT3N Percussion, which focuses on creating new and exciting contemporary music.
Benjamin Mapes is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, where he studies with world renowned marimba virtuoso Robert van Sice, as well as Kevin Watkins of the Minnesota Orchestra. Benjamin has a Masters of Music from Peabody and a Bachelors of Music from Michigan State University.
Benjamin has a wide variety of performance experiences. He has performed with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Modern Orchestra, Peabody Studio Orchestra, Peabody Camerata, Chatauqua Music School Festival Orchestra, and the Michigan State University Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestras. During his tenure at Michigan State University, Benjamin had the distinct pleasure of performing with the MSU Wind Symphony at the acclaimed Carnegie Hall. He also had the privilege of performing with the MSU Percussion Ensemble at the 2013 Percussion Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), under the direction of Gwendolyn Dease. Benjamin is also a founding member of MITT3N Percussion, which has performed at venues along the East Coast, with upcoming performances in the Midwest.
As an educator, Benjamin has given classes with MITT3N Percussion at York College of Pennsylvania, Curtis Institute of Music and The Johns Hopkins Medical Institute. At Grand Ledge High School, Benjamin served as the percussion instructor for the drumline and front line ensemble as well as private lesson instruction.
An advocate for contemporary music, Benjamin has commissioned numerous pieces from notable composers such as Justin Rito, James Wood, Ivan Trevino, and Alejandro Vinao. He is an original member of MITT3N Percussion, which focuses on creating new and exciting contemporary music.
Benjamin Mapes is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, where he studies with world renowned marimba virtuoso Robert van Sice, as well as Kevin Watkins of the Minnesota Orchestra. Benjamin has a Masters of Music from Peabody and a Bachelors of Music from Michigan State University.