Keeping the Beat of Success: John Wittmann ’82

On any given day, John Wittmann ‘82 could be scheduling a brass-clinic appearance for jazz legend/trumpeter Randy Brecker; arranging top-of-the-line instruments for legendary percussionist Mike Mainieri; or having lunch with Jeff Coffin, sax player for the Dave Matthews Band. Wittmann is director of artist relations and education for Yamaha Corporation’s Band and Orchestra Division, a job he’s been doing for more than two decades.

With a career at the intersection of music performance and music education, Wittmann spends most of his time working with Yamaha’s endorsing artists – professional musicians who play exclusively Yamaha instruments and serve as brand ambassadors – and linking them with music educators and students through clinics, festivals, and guest appearances.

Read about how Wittmann went from pining for a blue drum kit as a kid to working with some of the biggest names in music here.