Percussion
Education
Captain Darren Y. Lin received his MM in Percussion Performance and Literature from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music and a Graduate Diploma from the New England Conservatory. Prior to his graduate studies, Darren received his BM in Percussion Performance and Music Education from the University of Michigan.
He was also a fellow at Cortona New Music Sessions and Pacific Music Festival, an extra at Tanglewood Music Center, and trained at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
Performance Experience
Darren joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in July 2019 as a percussionist. He was appointed Assistant Director in July 2021 and commissioned to the rank of 1st Lieutenant in January 2022. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in September 2023 and appointed Associate Director in December 2023.
In addition to the Marine Band, Darren has appeared in concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, New World Symphony, and New Haven Symphony. He has worked under the batons of conductors like Valery Gergiev, Michael Tilson Thomas, Andris Nelsons, Gerard Schwarz, JoAnn Falletta, and Jun Märkl.
Equally dedicated to championing contemporary music, Darren premiered the shadow puppet play Magic Pearl at Lincoln Center in NYC in 2018. In October 2017, Darren appeared as a guest artist at the Pacific Rim Music Festival in Santa Cruz, California, performing and recording Hi Kyung Kim’s Isles of Light with the Borromeo String Quartet. He performed with the Callithumpian Consort and frequently appears with the NakedEye Ensemble, “an eclectic eight-member electro-acoustic ensemble with classical, rock, and jazz DNA, [that] commissions and performs seminal works by cross-over and cutting-edge composers.”
Teaching Experience
Darren has taught at the undergraduate, high school, middle school, and elementary levels. During his time in Ann Arbor, he had a large studio of private students who earned high honors in state solo competitions and participated in Michigan All-State Band and Orchestras. Several of his students have pursued further studies in percussion at collegiate programs, including the Crane School of Music, Eastern Michigan University, and the University of Michigan. As a guest artist, Darren has given clinics to programs like Penn State University, SUNY Buffalo State, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Washington. He has also taught music in public schools, holding an interim post as Director of Bands at Western Middle School in Parma, MI, in 2015, and serving as Percussion Instructor at Natick Public Schools from 2016 to 2018. From 2018 to 2019, Darren was the Adjunct Professor of Percussion at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA.
Darren was the Conductor of the Kansas 56A All-State Band in 2025, the MMEA Eastern District Senior Festival Concert Band in 2023, and the University of Maryland University Orchestra from 2024 to present.
At Levine
Darren joined our percussion faculty in 2022.
Teaching Philosophy
“I love helping students become better versions of themselves. Regardless of a student’s interest – drum set, orchestral percussion, marimba solos, or even avant garde music. I’ll make sure they have the tools needed to fully explore and express themselves.”
Favorite Aspect of Teaching at Levine
“I love being a part of an organization that is so connected to the community and dedicated to serving its students. It’s an honor to be on the faculty here!”
More About Darren
When not teaching, Darren enjoys trying new restaurants and cuisines, watching movies, and spending quality time with his partner and dog. Learn more about Darren on his website.