Professor Alan Shinn and Jazz Trio
Professor Alan Shinn
Alan D. Shinn is Professor of Percussion and Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies at Texas Tech University. He holds the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Missouri and the Master of Music degree from Texas Tech University. His primary teachers were Tim Lautzenheiser and Ron Dyer. He served as Chair of the Winds/Percussion Area from 2004-2007. Shinn was the Director of Jazz Studies at Tech from 1985-2005 and retired from leading the summer jazz program in 2013. Prior to coming to Texas Tech in 1982 as faculty percussionist, he served as Instructor of Percussion and Jazz at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Over 145 percussion students have graduated with music degrees at TTU since 1982 and are enjoying careers in education (all levels) and performance as well as music business and industry. Shinn is Principal Timpanist with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as Principal Timpanist/Percussionist with the Roswell, NM Symphony and has performed a number of times with the chamber orchestras of Santa Fe Pro Musica and 20th Century Unlimited. Alan Shinn is also a busy drum set artist as well as an active clinician and adjudicatr throughout the Southwest and Midwest. He is currently an Artist Endorser of Vic Firth and Paiste Cymbals. Alan Shinn was the 2009 recipient of the William Kerns Performing Arts Award for his contribution to the performing arts in Lubbock. In November at the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Austin, TX, Professor Shinn received the Society’s Lifetime Achievement in Education Award.
Dr. Ben Haugland
An accomplished and experienced musician, Dr. Ben Haugland has a history of musical distinction. In August 2012, he completed a Doctor of Arts degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado and is a recipient of nine DownBeat awards, including “Best Instrumental Jazz Soloist.” As a master’s student at the University of North Texas, he played an toured with the world renowned UNT One O’Clock Lab Band and is a featured soloist on their album Lab 2009, which received a Grammy nomination for "Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album."
Joy Harris
Joy Harris, born in College Station, is in high demand locally as a bass guitarist. Determined to finish her degree in percussion at Texas Tech, she also plays piano and saxophone, sings, and writes original songs.