Justin DeHart is a renowned percussionist and classical music artist who has made a name for himself in the world of contemporary classical music. Born in 1980 in San Diego, California, DeHart grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a very young age. His father was a jazz pianist and his mother was a classical pianist, and they both encouraged him to pursue music as a career. DeHart began his musical training at the age of six, studying piano and percussion. He showed a natural talent for percussion and quickly became proficient in playing a variety of instruments, including the marimba, vibraphone, and drums. He continued his musical education at the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, DeHart went on to earn a Master of Music degree in percussion performance from the University of Michigan. During his time at Michigan, he studied with some of the most renowned percussionists in the world, including Michael Udow and Salvatore Rabbio. He also had the opportunity to perform with the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble. Following his graduation from Michigan, DeHart began his professional career as a percussionist. He quickly established himself as a versatile and talented musician, capable of playing a wide range of musical styles. He performed with a number of orchestras and ensembles, including the San Diego Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the New World Symphony. In addition to his work as a classical percussionist, DeHart also became known for his performances of contemporary music. He worked closely with a number of composers, including John Luther Adams, Steve Reich, and David Lang, and premiered many new works for percussion. He also collaborated with a number of other musicians and artists, including the Kronos Quartet, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. Over the course of his career, DeHart has received numerous awards and accolades for his work as a percussionist. In 2006, he was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians who show exceptional promise for a career in classical music. He was also a recipient of the Fromm Music Foundation Commission, which supports the creation of new works by emerging composers. One of the highlights of DeHart's career was his performance of John Luther Adams' "Inuksuit" at the 2013 Ojai Music Festival. The piece, which is scored for 9 to 99 percussionists, was performed outdoors in a park in Ojai, California, and featured a wide range of percussion instruments, including conch shells, gongs, and drums. The performance was widely praised for its innovative use of space and sound, and DeHart was singled out for his virtuosic playing. Another notable performance by DeHart was his collaboration with the Kronos Quartet on the piece "Sun Rings" by Terry Riley. The piece, which was commissioned by NASA, features recordings of space sounds and images, which are combined with live music performed by the quartet and DeHart. The piece was performed at a number of venues around the world, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Barbican Centre in London. In addition to his work as a performer, DeHart is also a dedicated teacher and educator.

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