Johnny
Lee Lane

Professor Johnny Lee Lane

Johnny Lee Lane, who currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of

the most globally recognized percussion educators. Fondly known as “Prof”

by current and former students, he is highly sought-after as an

internationally-renowned pedagogue.

Lane was inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame at the Percussive Arts

Society International Convention in November 2023.

Lane was elected to the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Board of Directors

in 1979, where he served for nearly ten years. During that time he

established what was known as the PAS 100% Club and directed the

recruitment of new members. He was elected onto the PAS board yet again

in 2012 and served until 2018.

The Percussive Arts Society International Convention honored Lane with

the PAS Lifetime Achievement in Education Award in 2007.

In 2019, Lane was inducted into the Conn-Selmer Institute Hall of Fame .

He was the Director of Education and Senior Educational Advisor at Remo

Inc. from 2005-2020 and a featured expert who was instrumental in

developing products for Vic Firth . Lane is now Adjunct Professor at Butler

University , Traditional Product Manager at Dynasty USA , and the Global

Percussion Consultant for Parsons Music Corporation headquartered in

Hong Kong . As a master artist and accomplished musician he still believes

in practicing instruments habitually.

Lane has been invited to conduct clinics and workshops globally for Zildjian

( The Avedis Zildjian Company ), Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets , Remo , and

Dynasty Percussion . He has also authored highly-esteemed educational

literature published by Hal Leonard Publications and Row-Loff Productions

including: “Four Mallet Independence For Marimba” with Samuel A. Floyd,

Jr.; “Rudimental Snare Drum Grooves” with Richard L. Walker, Jr.; and

“Hand Drum Trios” with Terence Mayhue.

Lane served as Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at

Eastern Illinois University (EIU) for 28 years (1974-2002). He provided

tutelage for three years at Indiana University School of Music at IUPUI

(2002-2005) and two years at Tennessee State University (1972-1974).

At EIU Lane developed one of the finest comprehensive and

multidisciplinary percussion programs in the United States. His extensive

and ubiquitous list of students includes university and college professors

and directors, award-winning artists, and educators throughout the world.

Lane founded the United States Percussion Camp and directed hundreds

of students and numerous instructors and faculty members during each of

the 13 years he hosted this preeminent percussion summer program at

EIU. So distinguished was this camp that Lane and program participants

were featured on ABC’s “Good Morning America” show in 1996. As a result

of his notable contributions, Lane received the Faculty Excellence Award in

1989, 1994, and 1996.

In addition to all the influential programs and curricula Lane created, Lane

taught undergraduate and graduate percussion majors, conducted

percussion ensembles, marimba orchestras, marimba rag bands, and the

World Percussion Ensemble. In 2004, he led the Tournament of Roses

Parade performing on the world’s tallest drum.