Praised as “nothing short of amazing,” Dr. Xin Yin (Amy) is recognized as an emerging force in percussion performance and pedagogy. Originally from Shenzhen, China, she has appeared at major events including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Internasonal de Percusión (Colombia), the International Saxophone Symposium, the NC PAS Day of Percussion 2025, and the 64th Annual NCMEA Conference.

Dr. Yin currently serves as Assistant Professor of Percussion at Western Carolina University. Prior to joining WCU, she held teaching positions at Mitchell Community College, Alamance Community College, and served as a graduate assistant at both the University of North Texas and UNC–Greensboro, where she was nominated for the 2023 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award. Her contributions include co-directing the UNCG Percussion Ensemble for their PASIC 2021 showcase and serving as Interim Associate Director of the UNCG Percussion Studio in 2022.

As a performer, Yin has collaborated with ensembles such as the Beijing Ballet Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony, Winston-Salem Symphony, Greensboro Symphony, Asheville Symphony, and Shenzhen Orchestra. Recent highlights include performing the timpani concerto Raise the Roof with the UNCG Wind Ensemble at the Carolina Band Festival.

In 2022, she co-founded Duo-Y, a percussion and saxophone duo with Dr. Jia-Yu Yang, dedicated to championing diverse contemporary works and cross-cultural musical exchange.

Dr. Yin is an elected member of the Percussive Arts Society Diversity Alliance, a Vic Firth artist, and a published composer with C. Alan Publications.

To read more: amyxinyin.com or follow me on Instagram @amyxinyin

Dr. Diana Loomer is an active percussionist and music educator, currently teaching and performing in the Western NC and Eastern TN areas. In addition to her private lesson studio, she is the director of the "Steely Pan Steel Band" at Appalachian State University, and is also a percussion instructor at Milligan University. 

Diana has a D.M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, a M.M. from Indiana University and a B.M. from Appalachian State University in Percussion Performance. She has a passion for "Melodic Timpani" playing, and is currently working to explore the potential of the instrument, as well as to expand the repertoire for this style. Diana has commissioned and performed over ten pieces for Melodic Timpani so far, including a work for solo timpani and electronics by world-renowned composer, John Psathas. She has been presenting clinics and performances of these pieces throughout the country in an effort to promote the idea of timpani as a more versatile and melodic voice.

Diana has performing experience in many different areas of percussion. She is the principal timpanist for the Johnson City Symphony and Symphony of the Mountains. She has an extensive background in Non-Western percussion, including steel pan, tabla, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and West African percussion. Diana and her partner, Morgan Tao, form the Blue Iron Percussion Duo. Together, they perform and teach steel pan across Western North Carolina and Tennessee.  

Bio coming soon!

Dr. Jason DeCristofaro is a music educator, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based out of Asheville, NC.  He is the Director of Creative Arts and Music Department Chair at Warren Wilson College, where he also teaches Music Theory, Percussion, Composition, Improvisation, and coordinates Jazz Studies.  Jason’s classical and jazz compositions have been performed in China, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and throughout the United States.  The winner of the 2011 Yamaha/Percussive Arts Society Terry Gibbs Competition (an international scholarship competition for jazz vibraphonists), Jason has performed nationally and internationally at many jazz festivals, and he has performed with such notable artists as Randy Brecker, Dr. Sam Waymon (Nina Simone's brother), Justin Stanton (of Snarky Puppy), Sharel Cassity, and Jocelyn Gould.  www.youtube.com/jasondecristofaro 

Dr. Nathan Tingler is an “in demand” percussionist dedicated to promoting the growth and creativity of young musicians and the rise of percussion ensemble in schools as a pedagogical device.

Dr. Tingler currently serves as Instructor of Percussion and Director of the Tornado Drumline at Brevard College in North Carolina. His percussion ensembles have been featured at the Cedar Cliffs Day of Percussion and regularly tour western North Carolina schools. Tingler also serves as instructor at Brevard High School and Brevard Middle School.

A seasoned performer, Dr. Tingler serves as the Principal Timpanist of the Tallahassee Symphony, Section Percussion with the Western Piedmont Symphony, performs regularly with the Charlotte Symphony, the Asheville Symphony, the Charleston Symphony, the Brevard Philharmonic, the Hendersonville Symphony, and has previously performed with the Chattanooga Symphony, and the Alabama Symphony.

Dr. Tingler previously served on the faculty at Georgia College and State University. He earned his DMA, MM, and BM from the University of Georgia and a Professional Studies Certificate from the Cleveland Institute of Music. His teachers include Timothy Adams Jr., Richard Weiner, Paul Yancich, Kimberly Toscano Adams, Dr. Thomas McCutchen, Dr. Ryan Smith, and Dr. Todd Mueller.

Dr. Nathan Tingler currently lives in Brevard, North Carolina, and proudly endorses Zildjian, Innovative Percussion Inc, and Black Swamp percussion products.