Don Liuzzi, percussion

A native of Weymouth, Mass., Don Liuzzi joined the Philadelphia Orchestra as principal timpani in 1989. He was a percussionist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, taught at Duquesne University, and was assistant conductor of the Three Rivers Young People's Orchestra. He also performed marimba and percussion solos on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood on PBS. He also performs with the DePue Brothers Band, Philork Jazz, and the Philadelphia Orchestra Percussion Group.

Mr. Liuzzi has given master classes on four continents, including regular coaching for the New World Symphony, National Orchestral Institute, Pacific Music Festival, and Canton International Summer Music Academy in China. He has been an active chamber-music performer with the Network for New Music, recording for the Albany and CRI labels, and has two new solo and chamber releases with the Equilibrium label. He has performed as a timpani soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, China Philharmonic, and Sapporo and Guangzhou symphony orchestras. He was coordinating producer for the documentary film Music From the Inside Out and has composed songs and arrangements for the DePue Brothers Band and music for percussion ensemble.

Mr. Liuzzi, who earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and his Master of Music degree from Temple University, joined the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music in 1994.