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ABOP PODCASTAuthor: Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists - ABOP
Featuring conversations and discussions on life experiences, learning moments, music, and a dash of drumsall from personalities and friends from the world of symphonic percussion. ABOP is the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists, a nonprofit organization that focuses on mentoring future generations of Black percussionists. Language: en-us Genres: Arts, Music, Music Interviews, Performing Arts Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Episode 37. Finding Rhythm
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
In this episode, we bring together the voices of our ABOP protégés from across the country—students, graduates, and emerging professionals—to share their experiences in pursuing a career as a Black orchestral percussionist. Our protégés speak candidly about the highs and lows of this path. You’ll hear Jakalin Bryant discuss the steep costs and joyful rewards of mastering multiple percussion instruments; Torrance Buntyn Jr. reflect on the thrill of performing timeless works and the hurdles of competitive auditions; and London Johnson unpack the realities of representation and the drive to prove one’s place on and off stage. Donielle Woodard, Alexa Clawson, and Ashlee Dudley invite us into their worlds, balancing practice schedules, networking, burnout, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field; while Milik Green and Sean Edwards remind us of the importance of resilience, self-worth, and finding joy in sharing music with others. Together, they create a vibrant portrait of the modern Black percussionist’s experience. This podcast is brought to you by the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). ABOP is a nonprofit dedicated to guiding the next wave of Black orchestral percussionists. www.abop.us
