John Gaal currently serves as the Percussion Director for Trimble Tech High School, and he is a freelance percussionist, composer, and educator in the greater DFW area. 

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John received his Master’s in Percussion Performance from Texas Christian University, under the direction of Dr. Richard Gipson, Dr. Brian West, Jeff Hodge, and Joey Carter. He received his Bachelor’s of Music in Orchestral Performance from Bob Jones University, under the direction of Rob Schoolfield, Dr. Dan Turner, and Dr. Michael Moore.

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John is an active educator in the marching arts. Having played  the marimba for The Cavaliers (2013, 2014, 2015) and Music City Mystique (2015 & 2016), John now serves as the Co-Percussion Caption Head at Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps (2015-2021). Additionally, John teaches at The Colts Drum & Bugle Corps and Vigilantes Indoor Percussion.  

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John is also an avid performer. Before moving to the Dallas area, John performed with the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Scott Stewart, as well as the Atlanta Percussion Group, under the direction of Joel Boss. John has made numerous appearances at PASIC and TMEA, and he currently freelances in the Fort Worth area.

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John has had the privilege of studying under Dr. Brian West, Dr. Blake Tyson, Dr. Brian Tinkel, Dr. Matt Jordan, Dr. Richard Gipson, Jeff Ausdemore, Alan Miller, Rob Schoolfield, Lisa Gaal, Rich Stitzel, Duffy Jackson, Joey Carter, and Jeff Hodge.