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Meet the Band
Drew Tucker
Drew Tucker is a multi-talented musician, educator, and social entrepreneur who bridges the worlds of art and activism. With a focus on jazz, Drew has traveled the globe, deepening his connection to his community and heritage while sharing his passion for music with others. As the Director of Jazz for South Arts, Drew is committed to expanding access to the arts and creating opportunities for aspiring jazz musicians.
A leading vibraphonist, Drew has been at the forefront of the movement to reinvent this dynamic instrument, infusing it with soul, funk, jazz, and hip-hop influences. He has collaborated with renowned jazz musicians such as Shaun Martin, Stefon Harris, and Jason Marsalis, while working closely with agents and presenters to bring world-class performers to diverse and unconventional venues.
In addition to his work with South Arts and Jazz Road, Drew is a sought-after guest clinician and speaker, regularly sharing his insights and expertise with aspiring musicians and educators alike. He also serves as a consultant for Arts Integration with Cobb County Schools and sits on the Mallet Percussion Committee for the Percussive Arts Society. As a Cultural Ambassador for the United States State Department, Drew is dedicated to promoting the arts as a powerful tool for cultural exchange and social change.
Emily Tucker
Hailing from Miami but now based in Atlanta, Emily Tucker is a classically-trained vocalist and percussionist with a soulful, jazz-infused indie sound. Her rich, velvety voice effortlessly blends the intimacy of Billie Eilish with the effervescence of Kristen Chenoweth, making for a truly unique and captivating listening experience.
Renowned as a rising jazz star, Emily has shared the stage with Tony and Grammy award winners, impressing audiences with her dynamic live performances that cover a wide range of musical styles. Her lush soundscapes draw inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including the likes of Amy Winehouse, Emily King, Nat King Cole, and Anderson .Paak.
With a voice that’s both clear and soulful, Emily’s music harkens back to a bygone era while still feeling fresh and modern. If you’re looking for an artist with heart, soul, and an undeniable passion for their craft, look no further than Emily Tucker.
Bill Muter
Bill Muter is a multi-instrumentalist, best-selling author, composer, clinician and probably most well known for his work on the tuba. Having performed in venues across the globe, Bill is without a doubt one of the world’s leading tuba and and bass players earning him the nickname “Tuba Visionary.” The New Times also hails Bill as a “Showstopper” and “The most innovative tuba player we’ve seen.”
As a performer, Bill was a tuba soloist, percussionist and keyboardist in the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway sensation “Blast!” During Bill’s tenure, the show performed in numerous tours throughout North America and Japan as well as residencies at the World Expo in South Korea and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Bill was also the trombonist and horn section MD for the popular Haitian Kompa band “Gabel” with tours throughout Haiti, Canada, Dominican Republic and the French Antilles. Bill has shared the stage with 6 time Grammy Winner Shaun Martin of “Snarky Puppy”, the Snarky Puppy horn and rhythm sections with Shaun Martin’s Go-Go party, Sarah Reich of “Postmodern Jukebox”, Stefon Harris, Warren Wolf, James Francies, Matthew Whitaker, MonoNeon and more. Bill is a bandleader and fronts a 10 piece funk band “Topless in Tokyo.” Bill has opened for Lenny Kravitz, The Black Pumas, Boyz II Men, Norah Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Lalah Hathaway, The Roots and more.
Bill’s love for the stage is only echoed by his passion for music education in the classroom. Bill holds the esteemed title of “Cultural Ambassador” with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and has worked with embassy’s and music organizations across the globe. His instrumental technique book “A Practical Approach” was a best-seller on Apple’s iBookstore with it’s largest audience primarily in Japan. Bill was also an Artist in Residence and Curriculum Advisor at Honeyland College in Lagos Nigeria, blending the roots of Afrobeat music and jazz. Bill is also an Adams Brass endorsed Artist and Clinician.
Bill is heavily involved with the marching arts activity as clinician, designer and adjudicator. Bill has worked with the Boston Crusaders, Crossmen and Colts Drum and Bugle Corps and was also the Caption Head for the WGI Gold Medalist “Stryke Wynds.” Bill’s compositions have achieved numerous state championships.
As a composer for band and film. Bill has written, recorded or composed for works featured on BET, Okayplayer, XXL Magazine, Tribeca Film Festival and more. His recent scoring work for “Aurinko in Adagio” by Elisee Jr St Preux will be his fist Academy Award qualifying film and was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. His solo albums have reached #1 on the iTunes Charts in South Africa and in the Top 30 Global R&B charts.
Murphy Aucamp
Murphy Aucamp is an active drummer and percussionist based in Brooklyn, NY. Murphy’s performing credits include appearances with Gloria Estefan, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Quincy Jones, Jon Secada, Nu Deco Ensemble, Symphony of the Americas, and as a soloist with the Amarillo Symphony. He has toured internationally with trumpeter Brian Lynch’s “Spheres of Influence” band, and contributed arrangements and percussion on two Grammy-winning albums: “The Omni-American Book Club” – Brian Lynch Big Band, and “American Dreamers” – John Daversa Big Band. He currently performs with Brooklyn party band, Shag Horns, and the off-broadway show, Blue Man Group.
Sydney Burtis
Sydney Burtis, originally from central Florida, is a performer, choreographer, and teacher based in NYC. She trained as a multidisciplinary dancer for over 19 years, where she discovered her artistic voice through tap dance. She has had the honor of studying under “world renowned artists,” Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant, Sarah Reich, Anthony Morigerato, Danny Wallace, and more.
In 2017, Sydney was recognized as one of “Tap’s Next Generation” in Dance Spirit Magazine, and was later featured on the October 2018 cover. Some of her performance credits include The Billy Elliot National Broadway Tour, SYTYCD, Little Island’s Music and Dance Festival, YoungArts New York Met Gala, and Dorrance Dance’s “Nutcracker Suite” (understudy). She also has the privilege of sharing the stage with Max Pollak and Demi Remick performing their repertoire.
With a passion for choreography and the gift of storytelling through movement, Sydney founded her tap company “Elements of Sound” in 2022, which has performed at OC Tap Festival, Steps Beyond Foundation, and Battery Dance Festival. Within its inaugural year, she created and presented the company’s first full length show entitled, “The Difference” at Arts On Site. She is an Artist in Residence at the American Tap Dance Foundation, a 2017 YoungArts Silver award winner in Dance, a 2018 Presidential Scholar in the Arts semi-finalist, an alumnus of the Jacob’s Pillow Tap Program, and co-founder of the Orlando Tap Festival.
Sydney is a dedicated educator who inspires her students to find their individual voices by exploring the elements of sound and movement in a positive space. She travels throughout the United States and abroad choreographing and teaching for various dance studios, tap companies, and tap festivals. She also loves working with dancers of all ages and levels through private lessons and solo choreography. Sydney is on faculty teaching tap dance at Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center, tours with Adrenaline and Revive Dance Conventions, and is a guest teacher for Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project.
Sydney graduated Summa Cum Laude from Pace University’s Pforzheimer Honors College NYC, with a BA in Communication Studies and was the 2022 Barry Morris Award recipient for communications. Tap Dance has always been at the forefront of Sydney’s life inspiring her to research and present her honors thesis: “Tap Dance as a Form of Non-Verbal Communication for Autism Spectrum Disorder.”