C.J. Lyons attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in Percussion Studies. He has studied with Dr. Michael Kingan and Dr. Ronald Horner at IUP and artists including Jeff Queen, Nick Angeles, Chris Hanning, Bob Becker, Mark Ford, Gary Burton, Andy Narell, Dave Samuels, and Ed Soph.

During his time at IUP he has had the opportunity to perform at venues such as the Percussive Arts Society International Conference in Columbus Ohio, a clinician at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Music Conference in Hershey, PA, New York Giants Stadium, as well as a solo artist at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania's Heinz Hall.

C.J. is currently a percussion consultant for numerous high school marching bands in Pennsylvania as well as a performer, music educator and composer.

He is also a member of the National Judges Association, and is an affiliated member of PAS, PMEA and MENC.