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WHO WE ARE

As the name signifies, connection, collaboration, and bringing people together are at the center of Bridge Percussion’s ethos. The members themselves come from a variety of backgrounds, including their professional experience in non-musical fields such as engineering, the restaurant industry, or law. Bridge Percussion strives to push the boundaries of traditional percussion repertoire through thoughtfully curated programs. By showcasing a diverse range of composers, artists, and genres, each performance aims to be enjoyable and engaging for everyone from seasoned concertgoers to those new to the infinitely curious, creative, and exciting world of percussion.

A man playing a percussion instrument with mallets in an indoor setting, near art on the walls.

MEET THE ENSEMBLE

  • Person holding a small brown and black dog outdoors.

    ALEX CHAO (he/him)

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Ann Arbor Symphony, and Rhythm Messengers.

    Full-time musician, involuntarily retired software engineer, part-time patent analyst, world’s #1 when2meet user.

  • Young person wearing glasses and a gray jacket, smiling, in a modern office setting with wooden paneling and soft lighting.

    ALAN CHENG (he/him)

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Sr. mechanical engineer in the electronics industry and percussion teacher at Lincoln Park High School.

    Occasionally gets chased down by security at LPHS for looking like a student.

  • A person with glasses, wearing a green shirt, smiling against a plain background.

    DREW MCCOMAS (he/him)

    TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    Part-time composer/performer/educator for all things media, from films to theater to marching bands.

    Full-time video editor and, quite possibly, the definition of chronically online.

  • A young man wearing glasses and a striped shirt smiling outdoors with a hazy background.

    FINLEY LAU (he/him)

    Code monkey by day, dog dad by night. Plays in local groups like Lakeside Pride and Evanston Symphony.

    High-stakes gambler at restaurants (allergic to nuts, sesame, eggs, shellfish, and penicillin).

  • Man wearing glasses and a dark sweater, standing by a window, looking to the side.

    JOHN RINGOR (he/him)

    Professional music educator and freelance musician.

    Professional restaurant critic that books reservations under fake names like “Alex Chao.” Semi-professional wearer of hats.

  • A person with long dark hair is smiling, wearing round glasses and a black lace top against a dark background.

    MAY LEE (she/her)

    MARKETING DIRECTOR

    Professional pizza slinger, amateur pizza eater. Living out her Pitch Perfect dreams on the side as assistant music director of InVox Chicago A Cappella.

  • Smiling person in a plaid shirt against a blue background.

    THOMAS WOLFF (he/him)

    FINANCE DIRECTOR

    Professional reader of documents. Considering law school while actively doing all that is necessary to avoid law school.

    Spotted frequently on the Lakefront Trail and occasionally playing with local Chicago ensembles.

PERFORMING MEMBERS

  • A person with long dark hair is smiling, wearing round glasses and a black lace top against a dark background.

    BENJY KRAUSS (he/him)

  • BLAKE PARKER (they/them)

  • Man holding drumsticks by a lake

    CAMERON MARQUEZ (he/him)

  • CHARLEY GILLETTE (he/him)

  • Man wearing glasses and a dark sweater, standing by a window, looking to the side.

    JAZ IMANI RIOS (she/her)

  • A young man wearing glasses and a striped shirt smiling outdoors with a hazy background.

    STEPHEN SYMANK (he/him)