Dr. K. Michelle Lewis aka Yeshima, is an educator, author, researcher, and percussionist. She serves as the Adjunct Professor of Percussion and coordinator of the percussion studies program at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where she oversees the percussion ensemble and private percussion studio. Deeply involved in the percussion community, Dr. Lewis is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Interactive Drumming Committee and serves as the Kentucky Music Educators Association District 9 Percussion Chair. She is also part of the percussion education team for Salyers Percussion, a Remo Health Rhythms Facilitator, and is featured on the Remo Health and Wellness roster.
Her extensive academic background forms the foundation of her research and pedagogy. Dr. Lewis earned her Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Kentucky, where her doctoral research focused on "Teacher Perceptions of a Mindful-Based Social-Emotional Group Drumming Curriculum." She holds a Master of Music in percussion performance from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where she studied under She-E Wu and Dennis DeLucia. Her undergraduate music education and percussion studies were completed at Morehead State University under the direction of Frank Oddis, during which time she earned two Percussive Arts Society International Indoor Percussion Ensemble Championships in 1992 and 1994. A lifelong learner, Dr. Lewis expanded her global perspective by studying West African Drumming in Guinea with Bolokada Conde, later enrolling in the Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy and studying Ghanaian drumming with Charles Amewudah upon her return to the United States.
As a versatile performer, Dr. Lewis has played in a wide variety of musical contexts. Her performance credits include the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, Louisville Winds, Pine Mountain Wind Symphony, Mountain Arts Center Wind Orchestra, Winds of the Mountain Empire, Athena Brass Band, Fountain City Brass Band, Commonwealth Brass Band, Louisville Pipe Band, Aseye African Drum Ensemble, Silverwood Celtic Trio, and the Jewish Community Center Pit Orchestra. Notably, she placed second in the marimba individual competition at the 1994 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
Her professional accolades reflect her dedication to music education and community impact. She is the recipient of the Lyman T. Johnson: Torch Bearer Award from the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Music Educators Association District 9 Teacher of the Year Award. Her work has also been recognized with the Innovative Music Teacher Grant from the Give a Note Foundation, the Spotlight Award from the American Center for Elemental Music and Movement, and the Grammy Enterprise Award for the J. Graham Brown School Band.
An active scholar and creator, Dr. Lewis has published articles in Percussive Notes, Rhythm Scene Magazine, The Orff Echo, NAfME Teaching Music Magazine, Teaching with Orff, and Bluegrass Music News. She co-authored chapters in Popular Music in Elementary Music Education (Oxford University Press) and Orff Schulwerk: Reflections and Directions (GIA Publications). Her original works and arrangements are published through DrumSmart LLC, F-flat Books, and Teachers Pay Teachers.
As the CEO of DrumSmart LLC, Dr. Lewis provides world music drumming, drum circles supporting social-emotional well-being, and professional development for music educators and businesses. She is a Beat The Odds Facilitator, a Village Music Circles trainee, and holds Certified Orff Schulwerk Levels 1–3 credentials. In high demand as a clinician, presenter, performer, and collaborator, she has appeared throughout the United States and abroad. She is also the curator and host of the Power of Percussion podcast, where she interviews drummers from all over the world. When "Doc" is not drumming, she enjoys napping with Giovanni the Cat, spending time in nature, and connecting with her community.
CHARLES AMEWUDAH originally from GHANA, is a professional certificate and first degree holder in education from the University of Education in Winneba, Kumasi-Ghana. He was a leader and instructor of Borborbor music of a student group between 2011-2012 at the University of Education in Winneba.
Charles was a member of a blessed cultural troupe in Accra Ghana and has also been part of a church choir playing drums and teaching songs since 1995. In addition to these teaching and performing experiences, he is a regular participant of the Louisville Community Drum Circle at DrumSmart.
