Grand Rapids Symphony

Eric Sooy graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s degree in percussion performance and a Master’s degree in ethnomusicology. As a student of world percussion traditions, he traveled to Bali, Indonesia, in 1993 to study Balinese music and musical instrument construction. In 1994, he traveled to Ghana, West Africa, to study Ewe drumming and dancing. His Master’s thesis, "Gamelan Instruments in Bali: Their History, Makers, and Creation," is published by the American Gamelan Institute.

As an orchestral musician, he has been a member of the West Shore, Adrian, Ann Arbor, and Flint Symphonies. He is currently a percussionist with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Eric also is President of Black Swamp Percussion LLC, a manufacturer of concert percussion instruments that are used by leading musicians and musical organizations worldwide. He lives in Holland with his wife, Julie, and three children.