Mark Kohler Named Assistant Chair of Percussion

Berklee College of Music has named educator, administrator, entrepreneur, and percussionist Mark Kohler assistant chair of the Percussion Department. Kohler is a Berklee alumnus who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in performance in 1982. He has worked as an assistant professor in the college's Percussion and Ensemble departments since 2005, teaching courses on pop, R&B, rock, jazz, drums, and performance.

Kohler has served in numerous support roles at Berklee, including as an ensemble scheduling and advising assistant for Aspire: Five-Week Summer Performance Intensive, an advisor in the Percussion and Ensemble departments, a facilitator for clinics and auditions, and other administrative positions. He supported the Berklee Groove School summer program in 2019 and was a panelist in the inaugural Groove Sessions clinic series. Kohler served on the Berklee City Music faculty from 2009 to 2014, directed the Berklee City Music High School Academy from 2013 to 2015, and was a visiting artist for the City Music Network school in Estes Park, Colorado, from 2012 to 2013.

Outside of Berklee, Kohler has given private lessons and instruction since 1982 while maintaining an active teaching schedule with various institutions. He worked at Belmont Public Schools as director of the percussion ensemble and as an instructor in the Saturday morning music program for 20 years. He also taught at Powers Music School from 2005 to 2010, and directed percussion ensembles at Melrose High School, Attleboro High School, and Scituate High School.

Since 2016, Kohler has been the owner and operator of Eames Drum Company, which manufactures custom drum sets and snare drums. He has also provided percussion rental and repair services to various institutions, students, and professional musicians since 1998. Kohler was an instructor and arranger for national-level Drum Corps International (DCI) drum and bugle corps from 1983 to 1990, and has been a member of the Percussive Arts Society since 1981.

“Mark Kohler has been a dedicated percussionist and teacher at Berklee for over 15 years, going above and beyond to do what is best for Berklee students and faculty,” said Yoron Israel, chair of the Percussion Department. “I look forward to a collaborative and exciting partnership as he serves in the assistant chair role for the Percussion Department.”