Dr. Erin Duke

Assistant Professor of Percussion

Associate Director of Bands

Education

• Doctor of Musical Arts, Conducting; University of Memphis, 2026 
• Master of Music, Instrumental Conducting; Azusa Pacific University, 2021
• Bachelor of Music, Percussion Performance; Azusa Pacific University, 2019
• Bachelor of Music, Composition;  Azusa Pacific University, 2019

Courses Taught

• Applied Percussion
• Percussion Ensemble
• Bearcat Marching Band
• Concert Band
• Choral/Instrumental Composition and Arranging

Academic Interests

• Perceptions of Rehearsal Communication
• Wind Band Transcription
• Repertoire Selection Processes

Scholarly Activity

Presentations

• 2022 - Compelling Communication of Effective Ensembles: Conductor and Performer Perceptions of Transformational Imagery vs. Veridical Language. Juried presentation at CBDNA West/Northwest Regional Conference, University of Puget Sound, WA.

Premieres

• 2025 - Iberia from "Images pour orchestre," Claude Debussy, orch. Erin Duke. University of Memphis Wind Ensemble, Erin Duke (conductor). Memphis, TN.

Creative Publications

• 2025 - Julia Gaines, Erin Duke, et al. Sequential Studies (Book 3): for Four-Mallet Marimba. Portland: Tapspace Publications.
  • Commission for four-mallet etude: Summer Stroll
  • Reviewed In: Percussive Notes - Vol. 64, No. 2, April 2026. 
• 2021 - Pavlinec, Petr. Geampara lui Petrescu. Arr. Erin Duke. Portland: Tapspace Publications.
  • Reviewed In: Percussive Notes - Vol. 59, No. 4, August 2021. 
• 2016 - Duke, Erin. Satisfraction: for marimba trio. Portland: Tapspace Publications.
  • Reviewed In: Percussive Notes - Vol. 55, No. 3, July 2017. 
  • Repertoire State Lists: Missouri, Indiana

Other Professional Experiences

Dr. Duke maintains an active creative profile as a composer, arranger, conductor, and freelance percussionist. Prior to her time at Northwest, she served as Band Director at Western Christian Schools in Southern California. In the past, she has been selected for two CBDNA artistic conducting opportunities: the Mike Moss Conducting Study Grant and the Emerging Career Conducting Workshop. Dr. Duke has also worked extensively in the marching arts, teaching and arranging for high school ensembles, DCI, and WGI percussion groups. She is honored to have studied conducting with Dr. Albert Nguyen and Dr. John Burdett, percussion under Bill Schlitt, and composition and arranging with Michael Lee. Currently, Dr. Duke's professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), National Band Association (NBA), and Percussive Arts Society (PAS).