Dean Dicciani Receives Yamaha Legacy Award

At the annual Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), the world’s largest percussion convention, Yamaha honored UArts Professor of Music and Dean Marc Dicciani with its prestigious Legacy in Education Award. Dicciani has been a drumset artist and clinician for Yamaha Drums since 2004. The winners were announced at the annual Yamaha breakfast at PASIC in Indianapolis the weekend of Nov. 13.

Dicciani received the drumset award along with Tom Aungst, director of percussion at Dartmouth Public Schools in Massachusetts, who received the percussion award. The Legacy in Education Award recognizes distinguished Yamaha Artists and music educators for their extraordinary service to and impact on the field of music education. 

“Marc and Tom are more than deserving of this recognition for their unwavering dedication to music education,” said John Wittmann, senior director of artist relations and education at Yamaha. “They are wonderful examples of leaders who dedicate their lives to teaching others, and we couldn’t be happier to present them with this award for their service to the arts.”
 

I've benefitted from countless dedicated and selfless teachers who share in this award with me.  -Marc Dicciani

Dicciani has taught courses in drumset, hand percussion and music business to undergraduate and graduate students at UArts for over 30 years, as well as serving as a mentor, private instructor, percussion ensemble director, School of Music director and dean of the College of Performing Arts. His contributions as an educator, drummer, clinician and author have affected the lives of countless percussion students and organizations.

“I am completely surprised and humbled to be recognized in this way," says Dicciani. "We don’t teach to be recognized; we teach to make a difference. Throughout my life, I’ve benefitted from countless dedicated and selfless teachers who share in this award with me, including many at this university who have given me the opportunity and support to teach and conduct research.”

Dicciani is a member of Modern Drummer Magazine’s education team, focusing on effective learning and practice for drummers, neuroscience, and musicianship. He is a frequent adjudicator and clinician at conventions and jazz festivals around the country, including PASIC, Jazz Education Network and Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. He has also lectured at numerous universities across the country and overseas in Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea and the UK. Dicciani teaches the nation’s only graduate drumset course for music educators at Villanova University and Ursinus College each summer.

Dicciani also performs throughout the year across the U.S. and internationally. He has made concert appearances with a wide range of artists, entertainers and orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, Natalie Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Joan Jett, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Smith and Dionne Warwick. Dicciani has spent many years touring with Tony Award–winning entertainer Ben Vereen as drummer and music director.

 

Learn about the Instrumental Performance program at UArts.