Lawrence University often moves to the beat of a particular drummer, and his name is Dane Maxim Richeson, associate professor of music.
A member of the faculty since 1984, Richeson enjoys an international reputation for both virtuosity and versatility -- the latter being evidenced by performances as solo marimbist, chamber musician, ethnic percussion artist, and jazz drummer, as well as teacher and director of such groups as the Lawrence University Percussion Ensemble; the Sambistas, with a Brazilian repertoire; and Kinkaviwo, devoted to the drumming traditions of Ghana. The Percussion Ensemble has received international honors from the Percussive Arts Society, and its CD, Ginastera Cantata para America Magica, was well-reviewed and widely acclaimed.
Richeson earned his master's degree from Ithaca College, where he was a graduate assistant under renowned marimbist/composer Gordon Stout, and his bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University, with additional studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Drummers Collective NYC. In addition, he has closely studied the music of Ghana, where he lived among the Ewe people, working with master drummer Godwin Agbeli; Brazil, where he learned the drumming traditions of Bahia under Giba Conceicao; and Mantanzas, Cuba, where he studied with Afro-Cuban drummer Jesus Alfonzo.
In 1999-2000 Professor Richeson performed with Fire Flight at the College Music Society International Conference in Kyoto, Japan, and, with saxophonist Steven Jordheim, professor of music, recorded David Maslanka's Song Book for marimba and saxophone, released on Albany Records.