Johnny Lee Lane, who currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of the most globally recognized percussion educators. Fondly known as "Prof" by current and former students, he is highly sought-after as an internationally-renowned pedagogue.
Lane was elected to the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Board of Directors in 1979, where he served for nearly ten years. During that time he established what was known as the PAS 100% Club and directed the recruitment of new members. He was elected onto the PAS board yet again in 2012 and served until 2018.
The Percussive Arts Society International Convention honored Lane with the PAS Lifetime Achievement in Education Award in 2007.
In 2019, Lane was inducted into the Conn-Selmer Institute Hall of Fame.
He was the Director of Education and Senior Educational Advisor at Remo Inc. from 2005-2020 and a featured expert who was instrumental in developing products for Vic Firth. Lane is now Adjunct Professor at Butler University, Traditional Product Manager at Dynasty USA, and the Global Percussion Consultant for Parsons Music Corporation headquartered in Hong Kong. As a master artist and accomplished musician he still believes in practicing instruments habitually.
Lane has been invited to conduct clinics and workshops globally for Zildjian (The Avedis Zildjian Company), Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Remo, and Dynasty Percussion. He has also authored highly-esteemed educational literature published by Hal Leonard Publications and Row-Loff Productions including: "Four Mallet Independence For Marimba" with Samuel A. Floyd, Jr.; "Rudimental Snare Drum Grooves" with Richard L. Walker, Jr.; and "Hand Drum Trios" with Terence Mayhue.
Lane served as Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) for 28 years (1974-2002). He provided tutelage for three years at Indiana University School of Music at IUPUI
(2002-2005) and two years at Tennessee State University (1972-1974).
At EIU Lane developed one of the finest comprehensive and multidisciplinary percussion programs in the United States. His extensive and ubiquitous list of students includes university and college professors and directors, award-winning artists, and educators throughout the world.
Lane founded the United States Percussion Camp and directed hundreds of students and numerous instructors and faculty members during each of the 13 years he hosted this preeminent percussion summer program at EIU. So distinguished was this camp that Lane and program participants were featured on ABC’s "Good Morning America" show in 1996. As a result of his notable contributions, Lane received the Faculty Excellence Award in 1989, 1994, and 1996.
In addition to all the influential programs and curricula Lane created, Lane taught undergraduate and graduate percussion majors, conducted percussion ensembles, marimba orchestras, marimba rag bands, and the World Percussion Ensemble. In 2004, he led the Tournament of Roses Parade performing on the world’s tallest drum.
Lane will be inducted into the PAS Hall of Fame at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in November 2023.
