Orlando (FL) - based Percussionist and Dancer Meridythe Witt stops by to talk about performing as a dancer and drummer in theme parks, the audition process for these gigs, and how she stays “grounded in dance” (02:25), growing up in California, Indiana and Maryland, her musical family and their influence on her life, getting into dance and music early on, and a primer on ballet styles (19:45), attending Radford University (VA) for undergrad, getting degrees in dance and percussion performance at the same time there, creating collaborative opportunities there, and her experiences at PASIC50 on the New Music/Research Panel (44:15), and takes time for the Random Ass Questions, including segments on gestures and counting, baking bread, Bruce Springsteen, Twyla Tharp, rollercoasters, airports, and gymnastics (01:19:20).

Finishing with a Rave on the 2025 documentary film Monk in Pieces (01:43:40).

Meridythe Witt links:

Meridythe Witt’s Webpage

Meridythe’s instagram

Previous Podcast Guests mentioned:

Alexandros Fragiskatos in 2021

Drew Tucker in 2026

Other Links:

George Balanchine

Vaganova Ballet Method

The Drummer’s Cookbook - John Pickering

Advanced Techniques - Jim Chapin

“Take Five” - Dave Brubeck

Jim Petercsak

Robert Sanderl

“Frogs” - Keiko Abe

“Drum Corps on Parade” - John S. Pratt

“to wALk Or ruN in wEst harlem” - Andy Akiho

“Mirage” - Yasuo Sueyoshi

William Newton

Dave Rivers

Born to Run 50th Anniversary

Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary

“Lingus” - Snarky Puppy

LaDuca Dance Shoes

Napoleon Dynamite trailer

Happy Gilmore trailer

This is Spinal Tap trailer

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

The Collaborative Habit - Twyla Tharp

“Mallet Quartet” - Steve Reich

Raves:

Monk in Pieces trailer