Jon Crabiel is Percussion Artist-in-Residence at Butler University Jordan College of the Arts in Indianapolis, IN. At Butler University, Jon serves as coordinator of percussion studies; conducts the percussion ensembles; and teaches courses in percussion literature, pedagogy and world drumming. In addition, he serves as the director and founder of the Butler Percussion Camp held every June at Butler University.
In 2017, Jon took a one-year leave of absence from Butler to perform and serve as Acting Assistant Principal Timpani and Percussion with the National Symphony Orchestra for the 2017-18 season in Washington, DC. Jon is first-call extra percussion with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Empire Brass, Ronen Chamber Ensemble, Dance Kaleidoscope and national Broadway tour companies. He has served as Principal Timpani at Bear Valley Music Festival and has toured with the River City Brass Band. In addition to classical music, Jon is equally versed in rock, pop, jazz, Latin American and Brazilian percussion and drum set. He is a member of The Icarus Ensemble, an eclectic five-piece jazz group made up of members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
An active performer, clinician and educator throughout the Midwest, Jon serves annually as percussion coach of the Honor Orchestra of America and master class clinician for the Music for All National Festival. He has presented clinics for the Percussive Arts Society, Indiana Music Education Association and Indiana Percussion Association. Jon is an active and in demand studio musician for commercial recording sessions and has made solo appearances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (with The Icarus Ensemble) and Lafayette Symphony Orchestra as well as at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference and the Indiana Music Education Association Conference.
Jon's students have received numerous Butler University Concerto Competition honors and awards, and his former students can be found performing with major symphony orchestras, touring nationally and internationally with Broadway shows and teaching at universities in North America. Jon is a Yamaha Performing Artist and endorses Yamaha Drums and Percussion, Vic Firth Drumsticks and Mallets, Remo Drumheads and Zildjian Cymbals.
