Michael D. Faris is an active percussionist and educator throughout the Midwest. He is the director of The Strike Institute and operates Faris Percussion--a company dedicated to the development of state-of-the art percussion accessories for the serious student and professional. Originally from Washington state, Faris was the principal substitute timpanist with the Seattle Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet before relocating to St. Louis for studies at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music from where he received his Masters in Percussion Performance. Since his move to St. Louis, Faris has performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Opera, St. Louis Ballet, Bach Society and Fox Theatre Orchestra. As principal percussionist with the Illinois Symphony and Illinois Chamber Orchestra, he presented the Carnegie Hall premiere of a commissioned work by Gunther Schuller. As an educator, Faris spent three decades as the founder/director of Ladue Percussion--a component of the Ladue Band program in the Ladue school district before retiring from there and accepting a position at Webster University as the percussion instructor for the Community Music School where he currently directs the Young Peoples Orchestra Percussion--a component of the symphonic orchestra program. During his tenure with Ladue Percussion, Faris' ensembles were invited to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association and

received recognition as a Grammy Select Ensemble. Faris has authored several percussion methods, acted as past president for the Missouri Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and is a member of the American Federation of Musicians.

Joshua Politte is an active professional musician in the greater Mineral Area. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Vocal and Instrumental Music Education from Missouri Baptist University and a Master of Arts in Music with a focus in education and conducting from University of Central Missouri. Joshua is an active performer and conductor specializing in classical percussion and musical theater. Some of his favorite productions he has ever played in include West Side Story (Percussion) and Anything Goes (Drum Set). He has been a guest clinician for the Big Springs Honor Band and the Black River League Jazz Band. He currently teaches as adjunct professor of music for Mineral Area College and percussion instructor for the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy. His dream is to bring first class percussion education to the greater Mineral Area. In addition to his role as a music teacher, Joshua is also active in the theater department as a Theatrical Lighting Designer and occasionally as an actor. 

Ms. Abigail Helton holds a Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education from Missouri State University (Springfield, MO) and a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL). She is certified to teach K-12 Instrumental music and this is her 7th year teaching band. Along with being an educator, Ms. Helton also serves as a flute player in the 135th Army Band based out of Springfield, MO.