GUEST ARTISTS

Garrett Arney

Garrett is an active chamber musician, soloist, and educator among some of the most innovative of the time. He currently runs Arx Music Association, or “arx duo,” a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on the creation of new music and engagement with the public.

As a chamber musician, Garrett has been a member of arx duo, Sandbox Percussion, Ensemble ACJW, and has performed with groups such as eighth blackbird, American Modern Opera Company, the Dover String Quartet, among others.

He performed the Carnegie Hall Premiere of Steven Mackey’s “Micro Concerto,” as well as in venues such as Royal Albert Concert Hall, Walton Arts Center, and more. He has held adjunct/ faculty positions at Peabody Conservatory, Michigan State University, Cleveland State University, University of Central Missouri, and Curtis Young Artist Summer Program.

Garrett is an ambassador for Vic Firth Mallets, Adams Musical Instruments, Pearl Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads.

Christopher Whyte

Called “hypnotic, enthralling...dynamic” with playing described as “a striking diversity of styles and spirit,” Christopher Whyte is known for his wide-ranging artistry as a percussionist, timpanist, collaborator, composer, and educator. He has presented recitals, concerts, and masterclasses internationally in Asia, Europe, Canada, and throughout the United States. As an original member of the Portland Percussion Group, he is dedicated to fostering percussion performance through dynamic concerts, engaging collaborations, and the creation of new music. The quartet made its European debut in 2020, performing a full-length concert at the GAIDA Festival of Contemporary Music in Vilnius, Lithuania and collaborating on Steve Reich’s iconic “Drumming” with the Colin Currie Quartet. He is a founding member and resident faculty of the International Percussion Institute, held annually in Aberdeen, Scotland. Whyte also serves as percussionist with Third Angle New Music, and has collaborated closely with composers Gabriela Lena Frank, Pauline Oliveros, Sarah Hennies, William Kraft, Angélica Negrón, and Dominic Murcott, among others. He regularly performs with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera Orchestra, Oregon Ballet Theater, fEarnoMusic, Bach Cantata Choir, Portland Symphony Choir, and Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. Whyte is also preparing for the upcoming release of his debut solo recording featuring works by Lou Harrison, Sarah Hennies, Toshio Hosokawa, and an original composition for percussion and electronics entitled “A Cold Stability.” Whyte is Visiting Assistant Professor at Portland State University and has served on the faculty of Western Oregon University. He holds degrees from the University of Oregon (BM, MM) and Boston University (DMA).