Jeremy Wade is a dynamic educator, composer, and performer based in Central Kentucky. He currently serves as the percussion instructor for Transylvania University, Lexington Christian Academy (LCA), and Jessie Clark Middle School, and as Teaching Artist for the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. He teaches dance for the Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers (KMID), and is Co-Director/ bodhrán instructor for the Kentucky Irish Music Academy (KIMA). In addition to providing class and private instruction, Jeremy regularly facilitates bodhrán workshops and Irish music/ dance presentations at schools and festivals throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond.
A versatile performer, Jeremy is a member of several musical ensembles and maintains an active schedule as a freelance percussionist, specializing in bodhrán, timpani, and drumset. He is the principal percussionist for the Central Kentucky Concert Band, and holds the drumset chair for Family Worship Center and Tates Creek Christian Church. He regularly serves as a drummer/ percussionist for local pit orchestras – including LCA and Woodford County High School – and has played for the Lexington Children’s Theatre, Woodford Theatre, and The REP Theater Company. Previously, Jeremy performed and recorded with Lexington-based rock band, Analog Apostles (2013-2014), and held the drumset chair for LifeGate Church (2010-2015).
Since 2009, Jeremy has cultivated a thriving presence in the Irish traditional music community. He has studied with several of the world’s most well-respected bodhrán players – including Colm Phelan, Robbie Walsh, and Cormac Byrne – and travels to Ireland annually to hone his skills. He plays bodhrán as one half of Irish trad duo, Set Course, and regularly serves as an accompanist at local feiseanna and céilí events. Jeremy’s bodhrán performance can be heard on several albums/ soundtracks, including Maiden Voyage (Set Course, 2017), Songs for the Church (Mason Ballard, 2024), and two documentaries produced by Witnessing History. He commissioned/ originated the bodhrán part for Chad Floyd’s EscALE8 (2020) and premiered the piece in 2021 with the Campbellsville University Chamber Percussion Group. In addition to garnering accolades as an instrumentalist, Jeremy is an award-winning Irish dancer, and performs as a member of the KMID faculty dance company.
Jeremy has a robust history in the marching arts that spans over 20 years. Since 2008, he has taught a number of high school marching bands (LCA, Bryan Station, Tates Creek, George Rogers Clark, Woodford County, Lafayette) and competitive percussion ensembles (LCA, Bryan Station, Woodford County, INov8, Triple Crown), and has provided percussion/ wind arrangements for schools across Kentucky. As a performer, he was a member of the Lafayette High School (2003-2006) and University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Bands (2007-2010), played snare for the Stallion Stampede Drumline (2006), and performed as the timpanist for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps (2011). Additionally, he was a charter member of the Tates Creek Indoor Ensemble – playing timpani (2007-2009, 2011-2012) and snare (2010).
Jeremy Wade resides in Lexington, KY, and is a member of the Percussive Arts Society. He holds a Master of Arts in Teaching (Integrated Music P-12) from the University of the Cumberlands, and a B.A. in Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky (with an emphasis on audio and video production).
Résumé and CV
Discography/ Notable Recordings
- Songs for the Church – LP with Mason Ballard; drumset/ bodhrán/ percussion (2024)
- The Shot Heard ‘Round the World: The Coming of the American Revolution – Soundtrack; bodhrán (2023)
- Berea Celtic Festival (10th Anniversary) – LP Compilation; bodhrán (2019)
- Maiden Voyage – EP with Set Course; bodhrán (2017)
- Honor the Code – EP with Analog Apostles; bodhrán/ field drum (2014)
- Daniel Boone and the Opening of the American West – Soundtrack; bodhrán (2014)
- The Other Side of the Sea – EP with Analog Apostles; drumset (2013)
Jeremy Wade Percussion 