SUU Percussion Ensemble Presents Resonancia Caribeña
Published: November 13, 2025 | Author: Kol Gibson | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University’s Percussion Ensemble invites the community to an electrifying concert Resonancia Caribeña: A Celebration of Afro-Cuban Rhythm and Dance on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Thorley Recital Hall. This concert is free and open to the public.
Directed by Dr. Jed Blodgett, the SUU Percussion Ensemble is recognized for its commitment to excellence in performance, creativity, and collaboration. Percussion studies at SUU follow a “total percussion” approach, nurturing versatility and encouraging students to pursue their individual passions through personalized curricula, one-on-one training, and diverse ensemble experiences.
This concert marks the culminating event of the SUU Percussion Summit, held November 19-20, bringing together performers, students, and educators to explore traditional and contemporary percussion practice. The Summit includes a high school/middle school clinic at Cedar High School on November 19 with guest artist Michael Mixtacki, followed by a Salsa FUNdamentals clinic with Mixtacki on November 20 in the Thorley Recital Hall.
The concert features acclaimed percussionist, educator, and Yamaha Performing Artist Michael Mixtacki, joined by celebrated dancers Bayron Garcia and Giselle Soto, whose artistry highlights the essential connection between rhythm and movement in Afro-Cuban culture.
“Afro-Cuban music is foundational to the study of percussion,” said Dr. Jed Blodgett, Director of Percussion at SUU. “This concert not only showcases the vitality of these traditions but also honors those who keep the traditions alive. We are thrilled to bring this experience to our students and our community.”
Mixtacki brings over 15 years of diverse professional experience spanning world percussion, orchestral playing, contemporary chamber music, jazz, and commercial music. His extensive teaching career includes appointments at Texas Tech University, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Northern Illinois University, where he directed ensembles and founded Afro-Cuban and Samba groups to foster creativity and cultural understanding. His performance career includes collaborations with artists such as Kristin Chenoweth, Boyz II Men, Liam Teague, Raul Pineda, Jesús Diaz, Elio Villafranca, and Nestor Torres, as well as recording credits on multiple GRAMMY-nominated albums.
His deep study of Afro-Cuban traditions, including research in Havana and Matanzas, continues to inform his performance and teaching. Mixtacki is an official clinician for the Latin Percussion Department of Education and endorses Yamaha, Remo, Innovative Percussion, and Sabian.
Join SUU’s Percussion Ensemble for an unforgettable evening of music and movement that honors the vibrancy of Caribbean rhythm and celebrates its enduring influence on the global percussion community. For more information about Percussion at SUU, visit www.jedblodgett.com/suu.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 41 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year which are complemented by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and Shakespeare Studies at SUU, and is affiliated with the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF). Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.Tags: Music Education Music Community College of Performing and Visual Arts Percussion
Contact Information:
Kol Gibson
435-865-8667
kolgibson@suu.edu