emily lemmerman
Barracuda Steel Drums, Owner
Contributing Builder and Tuner
512.921.7003
info@barracudasteeldrums.com
Emily Lemmerman first played a steel drum in 1994 during her percussion studies at Ithaca College with Gordon Stout and Ted Rounds. Her love of the instrument led her out of the orchestra and into the panyard. This path took her to Appalachia, the adopted home of Trinidadian and renowned steelband craftsman Dr. Ellie Mannette. She traveled to West Virginia to participate in his annual summer workshops and perform with many of the great artists in the steelband community. These experiences influenced her work back at Ithaca, where she began her advocacy of the steel drum as an orchestral instrument. After earning her performance degree in 1998, she moved to Morgantown to study steel drum construction with Dr. Mannette, whose symphonic vision of the instrument continues to inform and inspire her work.
Lemmerman apprenticed with Dr. Mannette and worked for his company from 1998-2004. Here, she honed her building and tuning skills and continued her involvement with his steelband workshop as its Coordinator for four successful seasons.
Emily Lemmerman now lives in Austin, Texas. She is very active in the steelband community, and her work has taken her all over the world. She continues to build and tune steel drums in the style of Dr. Ellie Mannette, and strives to achieve the level of excellence he so passionately models. It is in honor of Dr. Mannette, his support, and his impact on her life that she chose the name “Barracuda” - a legendary instrument of his design - for her company.
darren dyke
Contributing Builder and Tuner
512.750.9598>
ddpantuner@mac.com
Darren Dyke’s comprehensive knowledge of the steel drum has made him much sought-after as a musician and craftsman. He has extensive experience as a clinician and educator, and universities across the nation have hosted him as a guest artist for workshops, clinics, and concerts. In addition to his accomplishment as a soloist and speaker, he is one of the steelband community’s most adventurous composers.
Darren Dyke studied steel drums in JC Combs’s percussion studio at Wichita State University, after which he supported himself as a performing artist. In 1995, he became an apprentice of master steel drum craftsman Dr. Ellie Mannette, and worked with him through 2002. He has worked as a tuner and craftsman for many notable steelbands and performers around the world. Darren Dyke is now based in Austin, TX, where he has lived since 2001.
billy sheeder
Contributing Tuner
304.319.3210
panbilly@hotmail.com
Billy Sheeder first played the steel drum in 1990 as a percussion student at West Virginia University, where he studied with Phil Faini and Tim Peterman. After earning a bachelor’s degree in music education, he spent eight years of apprenticeship with Dr. Ellie Mannette at his company in Morgantown.
Sheeder began freelancing in 2004 and now works extensively across the United States and abroad. He tunes for hundreds of steelbands at the university, high school, and primary school level, as well as independent programs, festivals, community bands, and church groups. He is currently based in Morgantown, West Virginia where he lives, performs, and works as a steel drum tuner.
inside out and cj menge
Inside Out Steelband, Director
Inside Out Steelband Music, Publisher
512.282.6118
cj@insideoutsteelband.com
CJ Menge studied classical percussion at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has been playing steel drums professionally for over fifteen years.
Menge established the Inside Out Steel Pan Project Arts-in-Education program in 1996 in Austin, TX. Menge has founded steelband programs in several Austin schools, some of which boast multiple bands and daily, curricular rehearsals. Menge’s workshops, performances, and Artist-in-Residence programs have directly inspired and impacted other steelbands, which number no fewer than fifteen bands in ten local schools.
Menge founded the Inside Out Community Steelband in 2000 to give Central Texans the opportunity to participate in steelband outside of school. This program consists of four bands with students ranging in age from 12 to 65. Presenting over 75 performances and reaching an audience of over 150,000 annually, each spring they are featured in a formal concert alongside internationally known guest artists.
Menge established Inside Out Steelband Music in 2007 to publish new music for steelband. His original music is a strong marriage of playability and thoughtful compositional construction. Having contributed over 100 new compositions and arrangements to the existing steelband library, this prolific work is a rich source of accessible new compositions and arrangements.
As a central figure in the Austin steelband community, CJ Menge’s leadership unifies and gives focus to its musical efforts, and his expertise and inclusive nature inspire and enrich its experience.