Percussionist Brian Tinkel enjoys a career that draws on his background both in teaching and in performance as chamber musician, soloist, and orchestral player. Currently, he is Professor of Music at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, North Carolina. His leadership roles include serving as Instrumental Coordinator and Director of Percussion for the Department of Music. As Director of Percussion, he oversees all aspects of percussion education. He directs University Percussion Ensembles and the Mountain Lion Marching Band. 

Dr. Tinkel performs regularly with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Asheville Community Theater, Asheville Lyrics Opera, Asheville Symphony Chorus, Brevard Philharmonic, Flat Rock Playhouse, Johnson City Orchestra, the NC Stage Company, and the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theater. Dr. Tinkel earned the Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Oklahoma. His dissertation, “Rebonds: A Pedagogical Analysis” is published by UMI. He received both a B.M. and M.M. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His past teachers include Thom Hannum, Eduardo Leandro, Dr. Peter Tanner, and Dr. Lance Drege. 

Dr. Tinkel is currently on faculty with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra serving as Percussion Director. His association with MHU and ASYO have created several World Percussion collaborative performances for the Asheville Symphony Board of Directors, the Asheville Symphony Orchestra Gild, and noteworthy opening performances for the Asheville Symphony Orchestra ‘Symphony in the Park’ concert. 

While being involved in the drum corps activity for two decades, Dr. Tinkel’s performance opportunities led him to being a member of the Boston Crusaders (1990-92) and Star of Indiana (1993). He went on to perform with Star of Indiana’s Brass Theater production (1994-96) where he toured extensively with The Canadian Brass and Nexus. Since devoting his time to teaching, Brian has been on faculty with the Crossmen (1997-99), Glassmen (2000-02), and has coordinated percussion activities for Magic of Orlando (2003) and the Madison Scouts (2004). In addition he has served as Percussion Caption Director and Arranger for Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps (2005-06) and served as a percussion consultant for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps (2008-09). Dr. Tinkel served as Percussion Caption Head for The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps (2010-13). In 2011, Tinkel led The Cavaliers Percussion Program to the Fred Sanford Award for Best Percussion Performance. Dr. Tinkel also served as a percussion consultant with The Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps (2014). 

Since 2014, Dr. Tinkel has focused his efforts on maintaining a percussion studio at Mars Hill University, performing regularly with professional music organizations in the region, and building a Youth Percussion Ensemble in the region though his Directorship with the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Dr. Tinkel has been a featured clinician and adjudicator at numerous events across the United States and at the 25th National Cultural Festival and International Exchange in Okayama, Japan. 

Dr. Tinkel is an artist and clinician for Avedis Zildjian Company, Innovative Percussion, Pearl-Adams Corporation, REMO Inc., and StickTape.com. Brian resides near Asheville, North Carolina with his wife Cynthia, and his two children Lydia and Asher.