Meet the Leads
Dave, playing pan since 2005
Day job: Professor of Microbiology, Virginia Tech
Favorite songs to play: El Cuarto de Tula, Patricia, Dancero, 5th of Beethoven
How did you get involved in PanJammers? After seeing a concert, our whole family joined for a summer workshop. Over the years, the others dropped out due to leaving for college or school/sports time commitments, but I have stuck with it.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? On the lead pan, once a simple song becomes easy for you, force yourself to play more of the notes with your “off” hand (left hand for me). As songs get harder, having the muscle memory in that hand for hitting additional notes will make things much easier.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I spend WAY too much time in my office chair these days, so the more opportunities I have to dance the better. And to dance in public no less, much to the embarrassment of my teenagers.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Classic rock of all types.
Interests and hobbies: Running, travel
Garrett, playing pan since 2005
Day job: Lifeguard
Favorite songs to play: Bee's Melody, Love
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through a swim team fundraiser.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? You have to keep up with the band.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Challenging songs
Other musical instruments played: Piano, marimba
Interests and hobbies: Swimming, running
Ben, playing pans since 2006
Day job: Interactive advertising
Favorite songs to play: Iko Iko, Sarah, Como Ves
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Laureen made me do it.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Everyone in the band has had a moment where they thought, "This is impossible and I am stupid because I cannot do it!" But you can do it, usually about five minutes after you have that moment.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The music is happy and upbeat. Even the songs about getting in brawls and how that girl will never go out with you are happy and upbeat.
Other musical instruments played: Banjo and electric bass. Pans: double second and bass.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: My early love of German industrial music has informed my decision to spend a great deal of my free time banging on a metal thing with a stick. I also prefer Fat Elvis to Skinny Elvis.
Interests and hobbies: Martial arts, painting, building furniture
Christine, playing pans since 2006
Day job: Magazine writer
Favorite songs to play: Anything by Boogsie Sharpe; on double second, anything with a montuno
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My friend Laureen suggested I join.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Hang in there! Play what you can and try to add a little each week. Congratulate yourself for improvements, but don’t scold yourself for what you missed. If possible, borrow or rent a pan to practice on. Most of all, enjoy being part of a band!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? When we play something really well and hit a groove, it's exhilarating.
Other musical instruments played: Piano and clarinet. Pans: double tenor and double second.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Too many to list!
Interests and hobbies: Karate, photography, history, hiking
Jody, playing pan since 2006
Day job: Website management and Nutrient Management Planner
Favorite songs to play: El Cuarto de Tula, Iko Iko
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My son joined and then I followed because it looked fun!
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Stick with it. If I can do it, you can! And you don't have to play every note!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Joyful music
Other musical instruments played: My iPod
Interests and hobbies: Golf and vintage stuff
Karen, playing pan since 2007
Day job: I own a home care business. I also work for Wall Residences as a provider and medication instructor.
Favorite songs to play: I don't have a favorite song but I do like the more traditional pan music.
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I went to a concert and my husband signed me up for a 1-day workshop and I loved it.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Have fun and practice.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I love music and it feels great when a song comes together.
Other musical instruments played: I played piano many, many years ago.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Most any type of music but Santana is one of my favorite musicians. I also like jazz and blues.
Interests and hobbies: Playing with my granddaughters and being with family. I also paint. I do mostly oil but have done some water colors. I have also painted china (tea sets) and I do a lot of other crafts
Kitty, playing pan since 2007
Day job: Communications Manager in College of Science, Virginia Tech
Favorite songs to play: Easy Does It, Como Ves, Margaritaville
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My teenage son was interested, so I took him to a rehearsal. It looked like so much fun, I had to join!
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Stick with it. It gets easier.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Seeing people enjoying our performances.
Other musical instruments played: Flute
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Billy Joel
Interests and hobbies: Live music, traveling, my kids' activities
Donna, playing pan since 2008
Day job: Caregiver
Favorite songs to play: Sarah, Louie Louie, Cachita, Trinidad Blue Basin
How did you get involved in PanJammers? My son and daughter-in-law took me to the summer workshop.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Be patient and have a sense of humor (or you will get frustrated!)
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Being with all the other drummers.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I love oldies (50's and 60's).
Interests and hobbies: Playing with my granddaughter, gardening, reading, crossword puzzles
Jan, playing pan since 2008
Day job: Microbiologist at a medical diagnostics company
Favorite songs to play: La Bamba, Salsa Verde, Patricia
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through a summer Feel the Steel class.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Be patient with yourself - everyone starts out not knowing anything and feeling a bit lost, but it passes quickly!
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? The music and the other band members - such a great group of people.
Other musical instruments played: The radio ;)
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: It's pretty hard to beat 1960s and 1970s music - a great era!
Interests and hobbies: Running, walking my dog, hiking, reading, meditating
Kathryn, playing pan since 2010
Day job: Teacher
Favorite songs to play: La Bamba 5th of Beethoven
How did you get involved in PanJammers? Through a former beginner's band called Feel the Steel.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Be patient and keep trying... It does get easier.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? It's a great stress relief and I've met some wonderful people.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Classic 70s and 80s rock.
Interests and hobbies: Cooking and baking, stamping and scrapbooking, traveling, and being outside (running, walking, people watching, whatever!)
John, playing pan since 2011
Day job: I am retired from the Biochemistry Department at Virginia Tech where I worked for over 39 years.Favorite songs to play: Dancero, Cachita
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I saw the group perform at the Hahn Garden Gala on the Virginia Tech campus in 2010. I joined a beginning group in August 2010.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Practicing scales helps.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? I respond to the happy sounds of the drums and the clear rhythms provided by the interactions of the instruments.
Other musical instruments played: I have played the violin but not for many years. I enjoy singing (tenor) with our church choir.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: I enjoy classical music best then standard jazz.
Interests and hobbies: I am a tutor with Literacy Volunteers, NRV. I enjoy gardening, cooking, reading, and sharing leadership and teaching at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Christiansburg.
Jonas, playing pan since 2011
Day job: Mechanical research, development and design engineer
Favorite songs to play: Como Ves, Dancero, Cachita
How did you get involved in PanJammers? I saw PanJammers player several times, joined Feel the Steel summer 2010, then joined PanJammers in February 2011.
What advice would you give to a new pan player? Don't get discouraged. I learned 6 songs in 6 months.
What do you enjoy most about playing the pans? Pan music sounds so happy, and nothing is better than live music, especially when you get to be a part of it.
Other musical instruments played: I played piano many, many years ago.
Favorite musicians, types of music, musical influences: Pink Floyd is my all time favorite. I enjoy listening to Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads and lots of other classic rock. I like a variety of contemporary rock groups.
Interests and hobbies: Gardening, building things
