Dr. Brian Tinkel
Percussion Director and Ensemble Coordinator
Percussionist Brian Tinkel enjoys a career that draws on his background both in teaching and through performance as chamber musician, soloist, an orchestral player. Currently, he is Professor of Music at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, North Carolina. His leadership roles include serving as Instrumental Coordinator and Percussion Director for the Department of Music. As Percussion Director, he oversees all aspects of percussion education while maintaining an active percussion studio. He directs University Percussion Ensembles and the Mountain Lion Marching Band. Additionally, Dr. Tinkel is on faculty with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra serving as Percussion Director. Through this Directorship with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra he has developed a regional Youth Percussion Ensemble for aspiring young percussionists. Dr. Tinkel performs regularly with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Asheville Community Theater, Asheville Lyrics Opera, Asheville Symphony Chorus, Brevard Philharmonic, Flat Rock Playhouse, Johnson City Orchestra, the NC Stage Company, and the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater. Dr. Tinkel earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Oklahoma. His dissertation, “Rebonds: A Pedagogical Analysis” is published by UMI. He received both a B.M. and M.M. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His past teachers include Thom Hannum, Eduardo Leandro, Dr. Peter Tanner, and Dr. Lance Drege.
While being involved in the drum corps activity for over two decades, Dr. Tinkel’s performance opportunities led him to being a member of the Boston Crusaders (1990-92) and Star of Indiana (1993) earning the Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award. He went on to perform with Star of Indiana’s Brass Theater production (1994-96) where he toured extensively with The Canadian Brass and Nexus. Since devoting his time to teaching, Tinkel has been on faculty with the Crossmen (1997-99), the Glassmen (2000-02), and has coordinated percussion activities for Magic of Orlando (2003) and Madison Scouts (2004). In addition he has served as Percussion Caption Director and Arranger for Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps (2005-06) and served as a percussion consultant for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps (2008-09). Dr. Tinkel served as Percussion Caption Head for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps (2010-13). In 2011, Tinkel led The Cavaliers Percussion Program to the Fred Sanford Best Percussion Performance Award. Dr. Tinkel also served as a percussion consultant with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps (2014). In 2025, Dr. Tinkel will serve as Percussion Director and Ensemble Coordinator for Music City Drum Corps.
Dr. Tinkel is an artist and clinician for Avedis Zildjian Company, Innovative Percussion, Pearl-Adams Corporation, and REMO Inc. Brian resides near Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Cynthia and his two children Lydia and Asher.