Lonny Benoit
McNeese State University
Overview
Lonny Benoit is Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Percussion Studies at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana where he teaches all courses in percussion performance. Benoit is the director of the McNeese Percussion Ensemble, the McNeese Ragtime Pokes, Steel Drum Band, The Cowboy Bloco, and the Pride of McNeese Drumline.
Benoit was the Front Ensemble Caption Manager of the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps from Santa Clara, CA (2007-09) and Percussion Caption Head of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois (2000-2002). Prior to working with Phantom Regiment, Benoit was a staff member for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (Denver, CO) and is a former member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (Rosemont, IL).
As a performer, Benoit is a member of the percussion group CHAAC. Benoit has appeared with the Lake Charles Symphony, the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Rapides Symphony, the Acadiana Wind Ensemble, and TAD Wind Symphony from Tokyo, Japan. He currently holds the Terrance Mahady Chair for principal timpanist with the Lake Charles Symphony. Benoit regularly presents clinics and master classes throughout the United States and abroad and has also been a featured clinician at several PAS State Days of Percussion.
Lonny Benoit received his Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas under the tutelage of Dr. Dean Gronemeier. Benoit is an artist/clinician for Pearl Drums and Adams Musical Instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth Inc., and Evans drumheads.
