Andy Bliss is a dynamic force in the world of drums and percussion, seamlessly blending roles as a virtuosic performer, innovative conductor, visionary curator, and inspiring mentor. Based in Knoxville, TN, his artistic footprint extends far beyond the local scene, leaving an indelible mark on stages and institutions nationally and abroad. From intimate venues like Knoxville's Square Room to prestigious international platforms such as the Darmstadt Summer Course for New Music in Germany and the Patagonia Percussion Festival in Argentina, Andy's performances captivate audiences with their technical brilliance and emotional depth. His collaborations span continents, genres, and artistic disciplines, embodying the true spirit of a 21st-century musician committed to pushing the boundaries of drumming artistry across various traditions and styles.

Andy's musical journey as a soloist and collaborative performer is a vibrant tapestry of performances that span the spectrum of drumming traditions. As a tireless advocate for contemporary music, Andy thrives on creative partnerships. He's joined forces with an impressive roster of today's musical visionaries, including John Luther Adams, Evan Chapman, Michael Gordon, and Anna Thorvaldsdottir, among many others. These collaborations have birthed groundbreaking works that push the boundaries of percussion performance, showcasing Andy's versatility across contemporary classical, global, electronic, and experimental genres. His work extends to unique cross-genre collaborations, such as performing Bryce Dessner's Triptych alongside the Grammy-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, and collaborating with So Percussion, Caroline Shaw, and the Kronos Quartet on a performance of Amid the Noise, further expanding the horizons of percussion in contemporary music.

Andy's performances as a touring musician are as diverse as they are dynamic. He's equally at home delivering solo drum and keyboard recitals in concert halls, playing steel pans in Brooklyn's Panorama with the Crossfire Steel Orchestra, or performing as a featured concerto soloist in Avner Dorman's Spices, Perfumes, Toxins! with the Knoxville Symphony. His appearances at prestigious events like the Big Ears Festival, where he performed both John Luther Adams' chamber epic Four Thousand Holes and his monumental sound seascape Become Ocean, highlight his ability to seamlessly navigate between intimate solo settings and grand orchestral productions.

As a director and producer, Andy specializes in creating immersive musical experiences that challenge traditional concert norms. His innovative approach brings percussion music directly to the public, transforming conventional performance spaces into dynamic, interactive environments that engage audiences in new and exciting ways. His work with Nief-Norf exemplifies this approach, from conducting a live film score for Brimstone & Glory to directing a 100-person ensemble for Michael Pisaro's A wave and waves. Perhaps his most ambitious project was the U.S. premiere of Michael Gordon's Big Space, featuring 30 musicians arranged in the round with the Bang on a Can All-Stars at the Tennessee Theatre. Andy's productions often blur the lines between music, visual art, and immersive experience, transforming traditional concert formats into exciting journeys through diverse rhythmic territories.

Bliss's expertise in percussion is highly sought after across the United States, leading to a diverse and impactful touring schedule. He regularly shares his knowledge through recitals, lectures, master classes, and adjudication on various percussive traditions at prestigious events such as the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and Music for All Summer Symposium. His contributions to academic discourse are evident through his appearances at multiple Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, the College Music Society’s National and International Conferences, the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy (NCPP) and the Association for Technology in Music Instruction's (ATMI) National Conference, where he explores innovative pedagogical methods and the intersection of diverse percussion traditions in music education. His expertise has been utilized in adjudicating high-profile competitions like the Music for All National Percussion Festival, the PAS Concert Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition, and the PAS International Percussion Ensemble Competition. These wide-ranging activities have established Andy as a true thought leader in the world of percussion, shaping the future of pedagogy and performance practices across various genres and traditions.

Andy's passion for education and nurturing the next generation of musicians is at the core of his professional life. As the Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Tennessee, Andy's commitment to mentorship extends to his daily work with students. He leads the University of Tennessee Percussion Ensemble and African-Diasporic Percussion Ensembles, providing hands-on guidance and creating opportunities for students to push the boundaries of contemporary percussion performance across various genres. His influence extends through residencies at numerous universities, including Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Nebraska, North Carolina, and South Carolina, where he continues to inspire and challenge the next generation of drummers and composers. For over a decade, he has been fostering dozens of musical partnerships through the Nief-Norf Summer Festival, an initiative he founded and continues to direct. This international gathering has become a catalyst for contemporary musical thought, bringing together emerging composers, performers, and scholars in an environment that encourages innovative thinking and collaborative creation.

Andy's dedication to advancing percussion education is evident through his extensive service work as well. He has served the Percussive Arts Society in numerous key roles, including on the Scholarly Research, Music Technology, and New Music/Research committees, as Past President of the PAS Tennessee Chapter, and as a two-term member of the PAS Board of Directors.  Andy's method book, Multitudes (Innovative Percussion), is a widely used pedagogical resource among high school and collegiate percussion programs nationwide.

A native of Milan, IL, Andy's percussive studies were guided by mentors James Campbell, Rich Holly, Robert Chappell, Orlando Cotto, Liam Teague, Cliff Alexis, and the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps. As a proud Yamaha Performing Artist, he gratefully acknowledges Zildjian, Innovative Percussion, Evans, Black Swamp, and Meinl Percussion for their generous support and sponsorships. When not performing or teaching, Andy can typically be found in his basement LEGO studio with his artistically-inclined daughter Elodie, or hunting down sports and Pokémon cards with his son Donovan.

Chris Rosas is embarking on his second year as the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the UT Percussion Studio. Originally from San Antonio, TX, he graduated from Texas Lutheran University, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Adam Bedell from Line Upon Line Percussion. At UT, Chris immerses himself in all facets of percussion, contributing not only through his performances but also co-directing and instructing lessons.

Freddy Morales is a first-year Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Pride of the Southland Band and Drumline. A native of El Paso, TX, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso, studying under the guidance of Dr. Andy Smith and Dr. Andrew Hunter. Freddy is currently pursuing an Masters degree in Percussion Performance, allowing him to perform with distinguished ensembles within the College of Music.