Ben Cantrell has been an independent musician in the eastern Kentucky and western Virginia area for nearly 15 years. He has performed in numerous groups, theaters, and ensembles in various parts of the US, as well as cities in Spain and China. He has taught privately, given masterclasses, adjudicated, and arranged music for many school programs.  Some of his most notable performances has been for the VA/DC Day of Percussion and Jazz Educator Network Conference.

Currently, Ben is the Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise where he directs the percussion ensemble, marching percussion/front ensemble, and co-directs the jazz ensemble.  He also performs with Jenny Wiley State Theatre (Prestonsburg, KY), the Johnson City Orchestra (Johnson City, TN), and Sacred Winds (KY).  Ben received his Bachelor of Music Education at Morehead State University under Dr. Brian Mason and his Master’s in Percussion Performance from Radford University under Dr. Robert Sanderl.

Ben is also extremely proud to be an educational artist for Mapex/Majestic Percussion and Innovative Percussion.