Benji Baker is an active performer, educator, and arranger across the percussive community in the United States and Internationally. His performance career has seen multiple appearances at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) with various ensembles and as a competitor in the marching competition. Additionally he has competed as a marimba soloist at contests across the United States and Poland. Most notably in recent years, Benji joined the cast of the Tony and Emmy Award winning Broadway Show, “Blast!” He has performed in three tours (2016, 2017, & 2019 Japan) with the company as the “Percussion Swing” to regularly sold out crowds.
As an educator Benji has had the opportunity to teach many successful band programs and music organizations. He has served as a front ensemble technician for Hebron High School and Flower Mound High School, both BOA Regional Champions and Grand National Finalists hailing from the Lewisville Independent School District in the DFW Metroplex. Additionally he served as front ensemble arranger and technician for the University of North Texas Green Brigade Drumline, dubbed the “Best Drumline in College Football” by Bleacher Report.
Benji’s marching experience includes the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps (2009-11) and the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps (2012-15). During his time with these groups he won the 2010 DCI I&E Percussion Ensemble category and achieved second place finishes in the solo marimba category in both 2011 and 2012. He served as section leader for both groups; Blue Knights in 2011 and SCV in 2015. He also performed with SCV at PASIC in both 2012 and 2015 where the percussion section presented a full percussion section clinic and front ensemble focus clinic. After aging out he served on staff with The Academy Drum and Bugle Corps and the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician and the Music City Drum and Bugle Corps as the front ensemble coordinator. Benji is currently on staff with Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps as a front ensemble technician.
Benji is currently the percussion director at Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco ISD in Frisco, TX. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and the Texas Music Educators Association. Benji proudly endorses Innovative Percussion and Dynasty Percussion. Benji holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music Degree from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He currently resides in Frisco, TX with his wife, Aly, and their two dogs, Scout and Kekoa.
