Contact Information
Ball Performing Arts Center, Room 119
1400 College Drive
Waco, TX 76708
(office) 254-299-8110
jkutz@mclennan.edu
Office Hours
Available by appointment
Education
B.S. in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. M.A. in music education from the University of North Texas
Professional Background
Jonathan Kutz currently serves as the Director of the Music Industry Careers program at McLennan Community College. Other responsibilities include the teaching of: drum set/percussion lessons and developing a course on the History of American Music. He joined the Music Industry Career faculty in 1997 and has coached rock band, improvisational ensemble and percussion ensemble. While hired to teach drum set at MCC, Mr. Kutz has extensive training as a classical percussionist and teaches traditional percussion such as snare drum, marimba, timpani and accessories. Mr. Kutz’s students have gone on to 4 year universities such as Baylor, Tarlton, University of Mary Hardin Baylor and University of North Texas.
Mr. Kutz is a native of Reading, Pennsylvania and is the product of an outstanding public school music program where he started his percussion studies in 4th grade. College degrees include: B.S. in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas. Mr. Kutz has taught every level of music education: 5 years as an elementary music teacher, 4 years teaching middle school and high school percussion lessons in McKinney, TX, 4 years as a graduate assistant at UNT, and 23+ years at MCC. Other learning experiences include non-degree study with Steve Rucker at University of Miami for 2 years and Berklee School of Music summer percussion programs.
Mr. Kutz has studied privately with: George Haller, Brian Holt, Gary Olmstead, Ed Soph, Robert Schietroma, Ed Smith, Brad Wagner, Leigh Howard Stevens, She-e Wu, David Garibaldi, Rod Morganstein, Jim Chapin, Will Kennedy, Kenwood Dennard, Mike Mangini and technique guru, Freddy Gruber.
Mr. Kutz has been playing professionally since 1982 and career highlights include: Ringgold Band, Irving Symphony Orchestra, Carnival Cruise Lines, Booze Cruise of Ft. Lauderdale, Asante (African Funk Band), Bill Tillman Band, Groove Posse, Joe Silva, Johnny Gimble, Tommy Emmanuel, Emily Gimble, Sloppy Joe, Tony Calhoun, Kim and Kristen Kelly, Ruthie Foster, Daystar, Camaromancer, David Zychek, Dave Scher and Ted Nugent. Mr Kutz played on Nugent’s 2014 CD release, Shut Up and Jam and has played live dates with Nugent.
Kutz plays with Ted Nugent Stranglehold
Mr. Kutz is a longtime member of the Percussive Arts Society and proudly plays Ludwig Drums, Paiste Cymbals and Vic Firth sticks and mallets.
Courses
- History of American Music
- Ensembles- Percussion
- Private lessons - drum set and percussion
Links
Percussive Arts Society
Modern Drummer
