"My son Daniel has participated in the Mercury Rising Percussion Ensemble for three years. Joanna Huling's teaching brings out the best in students of all ages and abilities as well as encouraging them to continue playing in school. Daniel was also able to spend time with friends who had similar interests.
The finale of the summer was a fun concert that everyone including parents enjoyed."
Rose S. - Parent . . . Summer 2008, Winter 2008, 2009, 2011
"The Mercury Rising experience has been a great one. By participating in the ensemble, our son has been able to play with professional musicians, gained experience playing instruments he never would have gotten through his school music department, and been challenged with pieces and parts that have raised his skill level and allowed him to audition, and make, the highest level band at his school.
He looks forward to another year in the group, and we as his parents, look forward to a unique concert at the end of the program."
Percussionist Joanna Dabrowska Huling is a performer and educator in the greater Baltimore-Washington Metro area. She has performed in the United States and Europe, with venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Music Center at Strathmore, Maryland Theatre and Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
Joanna has been performing with Grammy Nominee Jenny Oaks Baker since 2009. She has performed with the Maryland Symphony, Annapolis Symphony, Post-Classical Ensemble, McLean Orchestra, and Brass of the Potomac among many others. From 2006 to 2011 she held the position of Principal Timpanist of the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic based in Alexandria, VA.