Justin hails from the heart of Appalachia, Virginia, where his musical journey began in elementary school. During those formative years, he participated in concert bands and the Appalachia High School marching band, as a snare drummer from grades six through twelve.
Venturing further into the realm of education, Justin undertook his undergraduate studies at Morehead State University, and participated in Concert Band, Symphony Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Marching Band. Under the tutelage of esteemed teachers such as Frank Oddis, Todd Wright, Greg Strouse, and Dr. Brian Mason, he continued to hone his craft.
Justin's passion for percussion continued to grow, beckoning him to the fields of Drum Corps International (DCI). As a charter member and section leader of The Volunteers Drum and Bugle Corps, he competed in the ranks of DCI's Division II/III in 1997.
His journey as a percussionist, however, was not limited to performance alone. Justin began teaching in the world of competitive drumline, assuming roles as caption head, arranger, and technician for various ensembles in both DCI and WGI. Notable among his accolades was his tenure as Battery Caption Head for Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble, where his stewardship garnered a bronze medal during the 2009 WGI season and multiple appearances in WGI Finals.
In his capacity as a Percussion Specialist at Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky, Justin lead two percussion ensembles and the HC Steel Band, additionally maintaining a private lesson studio. During that time, the HC Steel band shared the stage with Campbellsville University and Eastern Kentucky University and the percussion ensembles shared the stage with Dr. Brian Mason, Dr. Chad Floyd, and Arthur Lipner. He has also served as an educator and clinician across various public schools and universities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Justin's rhythmic prowess extends beyond the realm of academia and instruction. For over a decade, he lent his skills to the dynamic soundscape of Lexington, gracing stages with the Chris Campbell Band and The Churchilljax. The acclaimed CCB album "Rearrange Today," is available on digital platforms such as iTunes/Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify.
An ardent advocate for musical education, Justin is an active member of esteemed organizations such as the National Association for Music Education (NAFME), KMEA, TMEA, and the Percussive Arts Society. He is also a member of the Vic Firth Education Team, serving as a Marching Percussion Specialist since 2001.
Currently residing in Dallas, Texas, Justin continues to teach and mentor the next generation of percussion students as the Director of Percussion at Faith Family Academy.