Alum

Casey Driessen

Former Program Director

Affiliated Departments

Valencia, Spain Campus

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Career Highlights

Fifteen years of international teaching experience in Australia, Belgium, China, Finland, Japan, Spain, the U.K., and the U.S.
Recording and touring collaborations with Darol Anger, Zac Brown Band, T-Bone Burnett, Bootsy Collins, Jerry Douglas, Steve Earle, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, John Mayer, Tim O’Brien, and Tony Trischka, among many others
Appeared on Grammy-winning records by Béla Fleck (2010), Tim O’Brien (2006) and the motion picture soundtrack to Walk the Line (2007), as well as a Grammy-nominated recording by Steve Earle (2001)
Contributed to soundtrack for Emmy-nominated TV series Nashville (2013)
Solo projects include the 3D (2006) and Oog (2009)
Ongoing audio/visual rhythmic collaboration with Fiddle/Sticks: The Drummer Project
International touring experience in 16 countries as solo artist, band leader, collaborator, sideman, tour manager, stage manager, merchandise manager, crew, and drum tech
TEDxAsheville speaker and presenter The Edge (2012)
Participant in first-ever U.S.-sponsored cultural mission to Tibet with The Sparrow Quartet via special grant from the U.S. State Department (2006)

Awards

Grammy Nominated The Singularity (2014)

In Their Own Words

“As the director of the Contemporary Performance (Production Concentration) master’s program, I draw on my diverse background in the music industry, encouraging performers to develop their artistic voices through self-sufficiency, dedication to craft, and an open mind to creative stimulus from life.

I'm a traditional American fiddler turned electrified live looper; a studio musician with producing, mixing, and engineering experience; a sideman who has become a band leader and solo artist; and also a tour manager, stage manager, merchandise manager, and drum tech.

I grew up grounded in traditional American bluegrass music with the fiddle as my voice. I have since drawn upon the traditions of jazz, funk, rock/pop, and various world cultures in my own musical pursuits. I've come to realize that traditions—including bluegrass—don't exist as independent, timeless entities, but are the results of innovation, collaboration, life sharing, and mutual respect. I appreciate those who preserve genres in their 'pure' form, but delight in the juxtaposition of the seemingly contrary.

With more than 15 years of teaching experience, I’ve learned that no 'one way' works for everybody. This graduate program is designed to be flexible to the individual needs of musicians originating from a wide range of instrumental and genre backgrounds, while encouraging and developing their individual artistry. It caters to those who respect where they come from, yet desire to push their traditions forward into uncharted and exciting new territory.

Whatever instrument you play or genre you call home, I’m only interested in your dedication and passion. Let’s make some music together.”