Kent Hillman
- Faculty
Adjunct Instructor of Drumset
Drummer, percussionist and composer, Kent Hillman’s musical career began at age twelve when he was invited to perform as a drummer with Jack Benny show star Gisele MacKenzie. His subsequent performance history includes engagements with The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, Marvin Hamlish, Toni Tenille, and Joe Williams, to name a few. In 1987 he received recognition from Downbeat Magazine, which awarded him a “db” (Outstanding Performance Award) for his recording with California State University Fresno’s Jazz Band “A”. During the 1997 Reno Jazz Festival, Kent was recognized as the festival’s “outstanding drummer”, an award sponsored by the Sabian cymbal company. He has studied drumset with Ed Soph and Jeff Hamilton, vibraphone with Ed Saindon and Dave Samuels and Percussion with Matt Darling and Steve Schick. He currently serves as the adjunct drum set instructor at A&M-Commerce and serves as an adjunct professor of music at North Central Texas College. Kent operates a private percussion studio and performs regularly around the DFW metroplex.
Educational Background
- M.M., Jazz Studies, University of North Texas, 2007
- B.A., Music Performance, California State University, 2004
- B.A., English, California State University, 1989
Honors and Awards
- Ritchie Clendenin Memorial Award: Most Inspirational Musician, California State University, 2003
- Outstanding Drummer Performer, Reno Jazz Festival/Sabian Cymbal Company, 1997
Featured Courses
- Applied Percussion – Undergraduate