Jared Coller

Jared Coller is an active freelance percussionist and educator located in Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan. Jared is a regular member of the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, All Music Project Orchestra, Elkhart Symphony Orchestra, Windiana Concert Band, La Porte City Band, Michigan City Municipal Band, and St. Joseph Municipal Band. In addition to the professional orchestras and bands, Jared is a pit percussionist for several area theaters. Productions include The Bridges of Madison County, Next to Normal, Working, Into the Woods, Matilda, The Nutcracker, and many more. He is also the drummer for blues and rock band Cobalt Joy.

As a soloist, Jared most recently performed The Xylophone Rags of G.H. Green, solo for xylophone with concert band arranged by SSgt. Scott Ninmer of the US Marine Band, with the La Porte City Band and the Michigan City Municipal Band. He will perform the solo again September 1st with the St. Joseph Municipal Band. As an undergraduate, he has performed Paul Creston’s Concertino for Marimba and Band with the Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band, and performed as a soloist on Mark Ford’s Stubernic Fantasy with his father, John Coller, and Mark Ford himself.

In November, Jared will perform the snare drum concerto Prometheus Rapture by Sean Beeson with the Windiana Concert Band. In March 2025, Jared will perform the world premiere of Kjell Roikjer’s Concerto No. 2 for Xylophone and String Orchestra with the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra.

As an educator, Jared is in demand as an instructor, clinician, and consultant. He currently teaches lessons throughout Northwest Indiana to students at the beginning to advanced level. Several of his students have earned gold ratings at ISSMA District Solo & Ensemble, Gold with Distinction ratings at ISSMA State Solo & Ensemble, and earned spots in the top band at the IU Summer Music Clinic. Jared is currently the Front Ensemble Instructor for the Pride of Portage Marching Band. He is a regular clinician for the All-Region and All-District Bands and ISSMA Solo & Ensemble adjudicator. Jared presents clinics and masterclasses to schools every year on various topics. He has presented to beginning students on how to get started on percussion, four-mallet technique, and as a guest clinician for contests.