PERCUSSIONIST · EDUCATOR · FATHER OF THREE  //  PAS GOLD MEDALIST 1995  //  UNT A-LINE DRUMLINE  //  VELVET KNIGHTS · SKY RYDERS  //  PERFORMED IN AUSTRALIA  //  PRIVATE LESSONS · FORT WAYNE, IN  //  DRUMSET · RUDIMENTAL · CONGA · DJEMBE · TABLA  //  PERCUSSION DIRECTOR · INSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP  //  5 PERCUSSION METHODS  //  4+ STATES TAUGHT  //  PERCUSSIONIST · EDUCATOR · FATHER OF THREE  //  PAS GOLD MEDALIST 1995  //  UNT A-LINE DRUMLINE  //  VELVET KNIGHTS · SKY RYDERS  //  PERFORMED IN AUSTRALIA  //  PRIVATE LESSONS · FORT WAYNE, IN  //  DRUMSET · RUDIMENTAL · CONGA · DJEMBE · TABLA  //  PERCUSSION DIRECTOR · INSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP  //  5 PERCUSSION METHODS  //  4+ STATES TAUGHT  // 
OPERATOR_PROFILE // THE HUMAN BEHIND THE SYSTEM
“Marketing is just rhythm at scale. I approach both the same way — precise timing, layered textures, controlled signal flow. That same discipline — whether I’m conducting a percussion line, directing a program, or orchestrating 175+ campaigns — it’s all about timing, layering, and knowing when to lead.”
— Anooj Thakker · Percussionist · Educator · Systems Architect · Father of Three
Dispatch · from the field
What a Marching Band Taught Me About Losing Momentum

~5–6 min · Air Academy HS, 1998 · campaign design & attention

Read the piece → Dispatch index
MODULE_02 // PERCUSSION, EDUCATION & INSTRUCTION LEADERSHIP
DRUMMER.
PERCUSSIONIST.
EDUCATOR.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR.
UNT · PAS Gold Medalist · DCI Veteran · Percussion Instructor · Program Leader
Foundation: University of North Texas (1993–1996)

Attended The University of North Texas pursuing a BA in Music Education with emphasis in percussion. Selected for the award-winning UNT A-Line Drumline (1994–96), Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, and SteelBand Ensemble. Won individual PAS Gold Medal at the Percussive Arts Society Solo Tenor Competition, 1995 — a national distinction recognizing technical mastery and artistic excellence. UNT Percussion Scholarship recipient. Performed at PAS national conventions (1993–96).

Drum Corps & Performance Experience (1993–1995)

Marched Sky Ryders (1993) and Velvet Knights of Anaheim (1994–95) under direction of Paul Rennick and Tom Float. Progressed from performer to Assistant Instructor, Velvet Knights B-Line (1994–95), marking early transition into instructional leadership. Also served as Battery/Quad Line Technician, Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (1999) under Mike Stevens.

Education & Instruction Leadership (1998–2004)

Transitioned to full-time percussion instruction and program direction across multiple school systems:

Percussion Director, Air Academy High School (Colorado Springs, CO) — Led a competitive percussion program that earned state titles and percussion caption awards (1998–1999). Responsible for curriculum development, ensemble direction, student evaluation, and competitive season preparation. Demonstrated ability to build award-winning programs from the ground up.

Percussion Instruction & Consultant Roles:
• The Colony HS (Flower Mound, TX) — Percussion assistant, 1995
• Plano Senior HS (Plano, TX) — Percussion instructor, 2004
• Band programs across Colorado, California, and Texas — Part-time teaching, clinics, and consultant work (1998–2004)

Worked with elementary, middle, and high school programs. Conducted after-school percussion programs, clinics, and masterclasses. Expertise spans battery instruction, keyboard percussion (timpani, mallet instruments), rudimental development, and ensemble direction.

International Performance (2002)

Performed with StickWorx Percussion Group at Conrad Jupiter’s Gold Coast Resort, Australia — under direction of Paul Rennick (UNT). Applied performance mastery at the highest international level.

Current Practice: Private Instruction & Mentorship (2004–Present)

Teaching private percussion lessons in Fort Wayne, IN — continuing 30+ years of performance and instruction. Current focus: individual student development across multiple percussion disciplines.
PAS GOLD MEDALIST 1995 UNT A-LINE DRUMLINE PROGRAM DIRECTOR VELVET KNIGHTS · SKY RYDERS PERFORMED IN AUSTRALIA PRIVATE LESSONS · FORT WAYNE
30+
YRS PERFORMING & TEACHING
UNT → Drum Corps → Program Direction → Recording → Teaching
1995
PAS GOLD MEDAL
Solo Tenor · Percussive Arts Society National Competition
5
INSTRUCTION METHODS
Drumset · Rudimental · Conga · Djembe · Tabla
4+
STATES TAUGHT
Colorado · California · Texas · Indiana (and counting)
STATE TITLES & AWARDS
Air Academy HS Percussion Program
1998–1999
PROGRAM LEADERSHIP
Percussion Director · Instruction Leadership · Ensemble Direction
CURRENT PERFORMANCE STATUS
Private Lessons & Mentorship
DRUMSET · RUDIMENTAL · WORLD PERCUSSION
PERCUSSION_METHODS // EXPERTISE & PEDAGOGY
Instruction & repertoire

Instruction specialization: 5 primary methods

  • Drumset — Jazz, funk, contemporary, and world music application
  • Rudimental Percussion — Marching fundamentals, techniques, and performance
  • Conga — Afro-Cuban and Brazilian applications
  • Djembe — West African hand drum techniques
  • Tabla — Indian classical and contemporary cross-cultural approaches

Teaching styles & repertoire — Classical, Jazz, Funk, African, Brazilian, and Caribbean music. Emphasis on technique mastery, musical expression, cultural context, and student-centered instruction.

Technical & pedagogical depth

Technical proficiency

  • Marching Band/Drumline — Rudimental percussion, keyboard, timpani
  • Concert Ensemble — Mallet percussion, timpani, world percussion
  • Recording & Performance — Multiple genres and contexts

Pedagogical approach — Combines technical rigor (UNT-trained fundamentals, PAS Gold Medal standard) with inclusive instruction. Experience teaching across age ranges (elementary through adult), ability levels (beginning to advanced), and cultural contexts. Mentorship-focused: students progress from foundational technique to competitive excellence and musical independence.

PERCUSSION_HISTORY // CHRONOLOGICAL & CATEGORICAL LOG
NOW
Private Percussion Lessons & Mentorship
Teaching drumset, rudimental percussion, world percussion, and pedagogical mentorship — Fort Wayne, IN. Current students span beginner through advanced levels.
ACTIVE
2004–PRESENT
Continuous Private Instruction
Fort Wayne, IN area. Individual student development and performance coaching.
ACTIVE
1998–2004
Percussion Director & Educator — Air Academy High School (Colorado Springs)
Led competitive percussion program. Program achievements: state titles and percussion caption awards (1998–1999). Responsibilities included curriculum development, ensemble direction, student progression tracking, marching season preparation, and competitive performance strategy.

Additional educator roles (1998–2004): Percussion Instructor, Plano Senior HS (2004). Clinician & Consultant, band programs across Colorado, California, and Texas. After-school program coordination, masterclass instruction, and technical consultant work across school districts.
EDUCATOR
2002
StickWorx Percussion Group
International performance at Conrad Jupiter’s Gold Coast Resort, Gold Coast, Australia — under direction of Paul Rennick (UNT). Applied performance mastery in professional international context.
INTERNATIONAL
1999
Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps
Battery/Quad Line Technician — Instructional leadership and technical direction under Mike Stevens.
DCI TECH
1994–1995
Velvet Knights of Anaheim (CA)
Marched and progressed to Assistant Instructor, Velvet Knights B-Line under Paul Rennick and Tom Float. Transition from performer to instructor marked early leadership development.
DCI
1993–1996
University of North Texas
UNT A-Line Drumline (1994–96) — Selected for award-winning ensemble; DCI-level competitive drumline.
Brazilian Percussion Ensemble (1995) — Specialized ensemble study.
SteelBand Ensemble (1996) — Mallet and world percussion.
PAS Convention Performer (1993–96) — Performed at national Percussive Arts Society conventions.
UNT Percussion Scholarship (1993–94) — Merit-based recognition.

PAS Gold Medal Win — 1995: Solo Tenor Competition, Percussive Arts Society National Championship. Individual recognition at the highest amateur/collegiate level.

Concurrent: Percussion Assistant, The Colony HS (Flower Mound, TX), 1995.
PAS GOLD MEDALIST 1995
1993
Sky Ryders Drum Corps
Marched under Paul Rennick, Brian West (TCU), Quiyan Murphy, and Pat Fitzgerald. Entry point into elite drum corps performance.
DCI
INFLUENCES_MENTORS // PERFORMANCE & PEDAGOGY
Performance, pedagogy, and artistry
PERSONAL_CONFIG // FAMILY & LIFE
HOUSEHOLD_STATUS // FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
ONLINE

Outside the instruction studio and marketing workstation, the most important system Anooj runs is at home. Husband and father of three — the same discipline that earned a PAS Gold Medal, directed a state-title-winning percussion program, and orchestrates 175+ campaigns a year gets applied to weekend lessons, homework, weekend practices, and keeping a household of five running on beat.

KID_01
High Schooler
The one who keeps you humble
SON
KID_02
High Schooler
The one who keeps you on your toes
DAUGHTER
KID_03
Elementary
The one who keeps you young
DAUGHTER
Beyond the Workstation & Studio

The same principles that build championship percussion programs and make campaigns work — timing, layering, consistency, knowing when to lead and when to listen, understanding individual and group dynamics — turn out to be pretty solid parenting principles too. Three kids, a drum kit, a percussion setup, and one wife who somehow tolerates all of it.

HUSBAND DAD OF THREE FORT WAYNE, IN PERCUSSION TEACHER PROGRAM DIRECTOR SYSTEMS THINKER
Interests & Mindset

Off-roading, photography, podcasting, true crime, camping, Fortnite with the kids. A global mindset and cross-cultural perspective built from years of touring nationally and internationally, teaching across four states, studying world percussion traditions, and performing in diverse musical contexts. Comfort with systems thinking applied across domains — from rhythm and timing to campaign orchestration to household logistics.

OFF-ROADING PHOTOGRAPHY PODCASTING TRUE CRIME CAMPING FORTNITE