Ian Alward is a percussion educator based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he serves as the Percussion Director at Farragut High School and the Band Director at Karns Middle School. At Farragut, he oversees all percussion ensembles, while at Karns Middle he directs the 6th through 8th grade concert bands, jazz band, and percussion ensemble. In addition to his primary teaching roles, Ian teaches private lessons and frequently consults with percussion ensembles throughout the East Tennessee region. He has also taught with world-class organizations such as Audio Theater and Music City Drum Corps, and currently serves on the instructional staff at Music City Mystique.

Ian’s performance background includes appearances with renowned ensembles such as Music City Mystique (2021–2022), Carolina Crown (2021), and Audio Theater (2019–2020). He has participated in various recording projects in Nashville and is featured on the soundtrack of EA Sports’ College Football 25. He also serves as a member of the 129th Army Band where he performs across the state of Tennessee.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, Tennessee Music Educators Association, and the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association. He proudly endorses Innovative Percussion.