Omar Carmenates


Omar Carmenates is currently the Associate Professor of Percussion at Furman University in Greenville, SC where he oversees all aspects of the percussion program including classical, jazz, and world percussion studies. He holds a Doctor of Music degree from Florida State University, a Master of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Central Florida.

Dr. Carmenates is also versatile performer with a strong interest in contemporary solo and chamber music. His debut solo CD, entitled The Gaia Theory, is released through Rattle Records and features premiere recordings of works by Scott Lindroth, John Psathas, Christopher Adler, David Skidmore, Christopher Deane, and Brian Nozny. Dr. Carmenates can also be heard on the Cantaloupe Records release of John Luther Adams' Inuksuit for 9-99 percussionists, a work that he both cocommissioned and directed in its United States premiere. Forthcoming recordings also include a double-disc release entitled The John Psathas Percussion Project, featuring percussion arrangements of works by New Zealand's most renowned composer, John Psathas, as well as a collaboration with Furman Univesity's David E. Shi Center for Sustainability to record Matthew Burtner's Six Ecoacoustic Quintets with the Furman Percussion Ensemble. Dr. Carmenates is a proud endorser/artist for Grover Pro Percussion, Vic Firth, Inc. Remo Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals, and Pearl Corporation/Adams Musical Instruments.`