Kristen Shiner McGuire

Biography

Kristen Shiner McGuire has been the Coordinator of Percussion Studies since 1984. She is known internationally as a percussionist, marimbist, drummer, singer, composer, clinician, and teacher. Her credits range from playing drums and singing lead vocals in rock and jazz groups, to performing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, as Principal Percussionist with the Greater Rochester Women's Philharmonic, the Pan Gaia Steel Band, as well as for artists Ben Folds, Josh Groban, and The Irish Tenors.

Professor Shiner McGuire has served on the Board of Directors for the International Percussive Arts Society and won the Outstanding Chapter President Award in 1993; she served as NYS Chapter President from 1990-1999 and has most recently served on the PAS Diversity Alliance. Her other awards include Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society induction in 2023, the 2021 Nazareth University Distinction in Teaching Award, the 2016 Monroe County School Music Association Richard Snook Award for outstanding contributions to music education and the 1998 Nazareth College Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. The Nazareth University Percussion Ensemble has performed at state at National conventions and in schools across New York State. "KSM", as her students call her, is a published composer of works for marimba, timpani and percussion ensemble; as well as a performer and clinician in a variety of areas.

Ms. Shiner McGuire is currently a performer with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the RPO Marimba Band, and The Rita Collective. Professor Shiner McGuire may be heard on her own jazz album, Kristen Sings and Plays and Rings, as the drummer, singer, and mallet percussionist; and as the marimba soloist and composer on the Rita Collective’s Forty-One Seconds. Her book, Mallet Percussion Workout, is distributed by Alfred Publishing.