Edward Harrison

Edward Harrison serves as Artist Faculty and Head of Percussion at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts while holding the position of Principal Timpanist at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is internationally recognized as the leading exponent of contemporary maraca performance.

Education:

• Master of Music from New England Conservatory (studied with Vic Firth)
• Leonard Bernstein Fellowship to Tanglewood Music Center (1983, returned 1984)

Research Interests:

Harrison's groundbreaking work centers on percussion performance with specialized focus on maraca techniques. His research integrates Venezuelan Joropo traditions with contemporary classical and jazz idioms, resulting in the world's first maraca concerto premiered at Chicago's Orchestra Hall in 1999. This innovative fusion expands percussion repertoire through cross-cultural adaptation of rhythmic systems and timbral exploration.

Scientific Awards:

• Leonard Bernstein Fellowship

Professional Activities:

As Head of Percussion, Harrison mentors students in Roosevelt's Bachelor's, Master's, and Diploma programs while maintaining an active performance career. He founded the Gershwin/Bernstein Ensemble within the Chicago Symphony Ensembles program and performs regularly at the Ravinia Festival. His commercial work spans major brands including McDonald's, Kraft Foods, and Sears.

Professional Affiliations:

Harrison maintains dual artistic-educational roles as a Zildjian Orchestral Artist and Vic Firth Education Team member. His performance collaborations span classical legends (Leonard Bernstein, Sir George Solti) and jazz icons (McCoy Tyner, Paquito D’Rivera), with recordings for Deutsche Grammophon, Cedille Records, and Albany Records.