Jul 28, 2021, 16:02 PM
by
Rhythm Scene Staff
Layne Mauldin is an active educator and performer based in Greenville, South Carolina. She serves as Adjunct Percussion Instructor at Clemson University, where she teaches applied lessons in all areas of percussion and works with the percussion ensemble. She is also the Director of Percussion at Legacy Early College Elementary School in Greenville, where she teaches world percussion to second through fourth grades and directs the honors percussion ensemble. She actively composes pieces that her percussion ensemble performs and frequently collaborates with the string and choir directors at her school, providing her students with well-rounded experiences as performers. Additionally, she serves on faculty at DRUM Percussion Studio in Greenville, where she teaches private lessons and directs the Pre-Collegiate Percussion ensemble.
Rhythm! Scene: If you weren't a percussionist and educator, what career could you see yourself having pursued?
Layne Mauldin: My dream as a young girl was to go into the equine business as a jockey or horse trainer; I was an avid horsewoman growing up. In college, I also briefly considered going into law. There are several lawyers in my family, and I have always found that field interesting!
R!S: As a freelance artist, what's one of the weirdest gigs you've taken or oddest jobs you've had outside the industry?
LM: Easily my oddest job outside the industry is being a PE coach. My position at my elementary school was adjusted due to COVID restrictions and precautions this past school year, so I have had to learn how to teach physical education to my younger students. It has been a wild ride, but I have learned a lot that can be applied back to my percussion pedagogy. One of the most unique aspects of being a freelance artist is applying knowledge from seemingly random situations and/or gigs to teaching percussion and performing.
R!S: What's one thing about you that your colleagues or students would unanimously proclaim?
LM: I get really loud when I am excited about something! Whether it’s the student making a realization or me coming to my own revelation mid-teaching, it’s not uncommon to hear me all the way down the hall during my students’ lessons. With my new students, I always have to give a disclaimer that I may startle them the first time that I get loud.
R!S: What is your favorite percussion instrument and why?
LM: I gravitated towards drum set in middle school and never really looked back. I considered pursuing my master’s degree in jazz performance so that I could continue focusing on drumming, but that wasn’t the path I eventually took.
R!S: Where did you grow up, and what’s one interesting thing about your childhood (musically or otherwise)?
LK: I grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte. I grew up spending all of my spare time outdoors and/or in barns riding horses; I didn’t even consider picking up drumsticks until it was time for middle school band! I also had never had a formal private lesson in percussion until my freshman year as a college student.