Dr. Terry Vermillion holds a Doctorate of Arts in Percussion Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. He is currently a fulltime professor and department chairman at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota where in addition to his administrative duties he directs the activities of the Percussion Studies program, teaches applied lessons in percussion, and the conducts the various Percussion Ensembles. He has been recognized with a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Study Grant for his study with ECM recording artist Peter Erskine, a Fulbright Foundation Tour Abroad Grant for the study of Indonesian culture and art, Downbeat magazine's award for Jazz Instrumental Soloist Outstanding Performance and has been the featured soloist with a number of organizations including the St. Cloud Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Brass.