Torrance Buntyn Jr.
My early exposure to music, especially through church and school, sparked my love for drums and laid the foundation for my musical journey.
My early musical involvement began in the Baptist church. Growing up Baptist, the gospel choir was MAJOR, and we had choirs for everyone. For me, I grew up singing in the Youth Choir in church. In fact, the majority of my family sang in the choir at some point. While singing in the choir, my ears always connected with whatever the drumset player was doing, and I always tuned in to the drums. I wanted to take drumset lessons, but those were hard to come by at the time, especially since I grew up in a somewhat small town called Jackson, TN (the small city between Memphis and Nashville no one pays attention to). Lessons simply weren't accessible.
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I also enjoyed all the music classes I took in elementary school—it was one of my favorite parts of the day! I loved playing the recorder, African drums, shakers, bells, etc. It was the one time of day I really looked forward to outside of the normal class schedule. Fun fact: The Little Einsteins was one of my favorite childhood shows. Even with limited resources, early passion and curiosity can ignite a lifelong connection to music.
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My family's musical legacy, along with the support of my band teacher and private instructor, played a pivotal role in shaping my passion for percussion and advancing my skills. When I went to middle school, I instantly joined the band. I knew that was something I would do for a while, especially since my grandfather, father, uncle, and aunt all played percussion in their school bands. My great-grandfather, the father of my grandfather, was the DJ for the local radio station back in the day. So, I wanted to keep that musical legacy going.
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My grandfather had his own band when he was younger and also played kettle drums in high school. He had a heavy influence on my musical career, exposing me to many musical ventures and greatly supporting my journey. My parents also understood my talents and invested in private lessons for me, from the hour drives back and forth from Huntington to Jackson, to the drives to Memphis so I could attend the University of Memphis Day of Percussion. Throughout middle school, my band teacher knew exactly where I was headed, even before I did. She instilled in me a strong foundation in percussion and encouraged my parents to keep me in music, recommending private lessons. That decision helped me surpass my peers at the time.
No, I didn't take lessons from a hotshot professional percussionist in a grand symphony. My teacher was the percussion instructor and band director at a local high school, and he taught me things no other band director in town could. I was just an ordinary and quirky band kid who liked music and finally found his passion.
The nurturing of my talent through support, guidance, and dedication led to remarkable progress, regardless of prestigious backgrounds or resources.
In high school, I excelled in both music and academics, developed leadership skills, and pursued my passion for percussion, driven by dreams of limitless possibilities. I joined the marching band at my neighborhood high school, which (in my very biased opinion) had one of the best marching bands in town. Marching band is super popular in the South, partly because football is also a huge Southern thing. Outside of marching percussion, I still had the itch to play marimba and mallet instruments, so I continued to practice. Ninth grade was the first time I learned 4-mallet technique. It was super uncomfortable at first, but I was determined to learn it because you needed to if you wanted to make All-State.
Throughout high school, I was a music and academic warrior. I knew that what I did in those four years would affect my future, so I did as much as I could in both music and my academic classes. I was awarded countless honors and learned valuable life lessons like perseverance, persistence, and hard work. I feel like my teenage life wasn't typical, but I still made time to enjoy the journey. I hung out with friends on the weekends and even worked a part-time job. I was just a quirky band kid who wanted more for himself. I began to realize that the sky's the limit and that possibilities are all around me. I dreamed of attending the Eastman School of Music.
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After joining the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra, I was introduced to a new ensemble: the Symphony Orchestra. I became the Principal Timpanist, and one of my favorite highlights was playing the Finale of the Firebird Suite and performing alongside the Jackson Symphony. The Youth Symphony was just a fun afterschool activity, not necessarily set up for kids to build their “classical music careers.” At the same time, I was still a significant band nerd and became a leader in the marching band. It was one of the most challenging experiences, as I learned people skills and developed more leadership abilities. Even without an official title, I knew I was a role model to younger kids. Perseverance, hard work, and embracing challenges can lead to personal growth and open doors to limitless opportunities.
The turning point in the journey came when the desire to major in Music Education was sparked by leadership experiences in high school band, though limited exposure to other music career paths left the idea of pursuing classical music and orchestra performance largely unknown.
A turning point in my journey came when the desire to major in Music Education was sparked by leadership experiences in high school band. However, my limited exposure to other music career paths left the idea of pursuing classical music and orchestra performance largely unknown. The next step in my journey began when I realized I wanted to major in Music Ed. Being a section leader and giving mini-lessons to my peers made me want to teach. My band director would sometimes put me on the podium to warm up the band and gave me theory lessons since my school didn’t offer any theory courses.
Music Education was the only career in music that had been exposed to me. I had no idea you could have a career in classical music or perform in a symphony orchestra. These things just weren’t talked about, and a little boy from Jackson, TN, wouldn’t have thought of pursuing that path. Without proper exposure and mentorship, it's easy to miss out on opportunities that could shape your future. It’s important to seek out those paths, even if they aren't immediately visible in your community.
During the pandemic, I shifted my focus from music education to orchestral percussion, which led me to pursue a performance-based career.
I attended Tennessee State University, a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), where I initially majored in Music Education. Being at an HBCU is a unique and empowering experience for Black people. It was a place where I felt like the majority for once, surrounded by Black professors, administrators, and board members. While deeply involved in marching band, I made it a priority to continue my concert percussion studies and eventually discovered my passion for orchestral percussion.
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In 2020, the pandemic changed everything. I realized that being a band director wasn’t right for me. I knew I needed a career where I could dedicate myself fully to playing percussion. I enrolled in the Ted Atkatz Percussion Seminar Online, where I was introduced to the world of orchestral percussion for the first time. That summer, with no school activities, my former high school band director let me borrow percussion equipment, and I began learning my first orchestral excerpts. From that point on, I shifted my focus from teaching to performance.
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I worked tirelessly each year, even programming my own virtual recital, all with the goal of getting into a top-tier graduate school program. This was the start of something exciting, and my enthusiasm was through the roof! I realized that pursuing what I truly love—playing percussion—was more important than following a path that didn’t feel right for me. I owe it to my teacher, Dr. Derrick Greene, who fully supported me and my craft as well as pushed me to new heights.
I significantly improved my craft during graduate school even though I faced challenges and felt behind, but I persevered and learned.
When I entered grad school at Southern Methodist University, studying under George Nickson and Brian Jones from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, I faced new challenges. I wasn’t the "big fish in a small pond" anymore—everyone around me was just as dedicated and talented. The conservatory-style environment was rigorous and demanded more from me than I had ever experienced. I came from an HBCU background, where resources for classical training were limited, and suddenly I was in a space where I had to catch up in certain areas. But I didn’t let that stop me.
Instead of feeling defeated, I learned to embrace the difficulty and put in the extra effort to improve. I practiced harder than I ever had before, adjusted to the environment, and grew as a musician. Being a Protégé for the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP) during this time was invaluable. Through mentorship, I gained insight and skills that aren’t taught in traditional classrooms, which helped me navigate grad school successfully.
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It wasn’t easy, though. As a Black percussionist in a predominantly white institution, I often felt like the "other." In the orchestra, percussionists stand out already since we’re positioned at the back, playing something different from everyone else. And being the only Black person in that section added to the pressure. Imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and the feeling of needing to prove myself were all things I dealt with constantly. But I pushed through it all and never gave up. I turned those struggles into opportunities, made it to the final rounds of auditions, performed my first concerto, and even showcased a thematic recital program that was personally meaningful. I’m proud of how much I’ve grown, and I know that I’m only getting better from here.
I am determined to break barriers in classical music, inspire others, and create a fulfilling career that reflects my purpose and passion.
My current life resides in Atlanta, GA, where I live with my closest friends--fellow musicians, creatives, and pioneers in artistry. I am building a private lesson studio from the ground up while also taking freelance opportunities and professional orchestra auditions. I'll take lessons with Timothy Adams, chair of percussion at the University of Georgia, and Joseph Petrasek, principal percussionist of the Atlanta Symphony. Also, I'm continuing the mentorship program as a Protégé of the Alliance of Black Orchestral Percussionists (ABOP). On top of that, I’ve been accepted into a coaching program called Ignited Musicians by professional flutist, advocate, and pioneer in classical music, Adam Sadberry, designed to help classical musicians build their careers holistically, integrating purpose and mission into their work. ( I also love this picture of the skylines in Metro Atlanta. There are many areas with different things to offer, from Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and more! It's like the New York of the South, haha!)
Over the years, I’ve developed a strong desire to bring about change in the classical music world, and I’m not afraid to face its challenges head-on. The orchestral track, especially for musicians from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds, is not always straightforward. There’s a lack of access to key resources, financial hardships, and a scarcity of representation, all while navigating life’s other obstacles. Yet, despite the difficulties, I’m committed to my purpose. I will continue to grow and exceed as both a percussionist and an artist. I aim to break through the barriers, using the obstacles I encounter as stepping stones to success and beyond.
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As I strive to create a holistic, steadfast career, I also want to inspire others on unconventional paths like mine. I’m here to push past the stereotypes surrounding Black classical musicians, proving that the sky is the limit. Success isn’t defined by a single, traditional route. It’s shaped by perseverance, passion, and a determination to build something authentic, no matter your background. I AM here to create, lead, teach, and advocate as a musician, paving my own way and encouraging others to do the same.
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Being Black in the classical music industry is rarely the traditional route, but I am committed to thriving and inspiring others to pursue their unique paths. There are no limits to what we can achieve when we approach our careers with resilience, purpose, and vision.
Thank you for reading! Check out this full clip of the pre-concert talk & interview with the Pasadena, CA community.