Todd is of a rare breed of percussionists, balancing sensitivity and control with creativity and raw energy. Todd has performed at over 1000 events and on many recordings. He has extensively studied classical, chamber and western contemporary music, as well as the music of the world. Todd is a disciple of Pandit Sharda Sahai of Benares, India, widely considered one of the greatest living tabla players. Todd has also played and studied with master hand drummer Glen Velez. He regularly infuses the sounds of tabla, doumbek, agogo, shekere, cymbals and gongs into the compositions of the Sonoran Consort. As a composer, Todd has received many commissions for original music, including "Remembering," an hour-long piece for the Several Dancers Corps/Core Performance Company of Atlanta and Houston. Todd is co-founder of the Tucson Institute of Percussion, and producer of the Todd Hammes and Friends Concert Series. He also teaches workshops, clinics and master classes in hand drumming. Todd has done extensive artist in residence work and has worked in schools throughout Arizona with all types of student populations. He is a contributing author to the 3rd Editions of Gary Cook's renowned text book, "Teaching Percussion." He also performed a variety of hand drumming demonstrations for the book's corresponding DVD. Released December 2005. ISBN: 0028701917 Wadsworth Publishing. In 2000 Todd was added to the Arizona and Idaho Commission on the Arts' Artist Rosters and was voted into office as president of the Arizona chapter of the Percussive Arts Society. In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious McKnight Fellowship from the American Composeršs Forum. As a McKnight Fellow, he will be making music with the clients and staff of the South Eastern Minnesota Center for Independent Living. Todd is a World Music Artist for REMO Percussion.