Cassius Goens
Associate Lecturer of Music (Jazz Percussion)
Cassius Goens III is Instructor of Jazz Percussion (Drum Set). A native of Muncie, Indiana, Cassius began playing percussion at age 11. He graduate from Ball State University and recently earned his Masters of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Iowa, where he was a Graduate Teaching Assistant. At Iowa, Cassius performed with the Johnson County Landmark Jazz Band, the Latin Jazz Ensemble, jazz combos and the UI Theater Department. He also studied extensively with drumset/latin percussionist James Dreier. While in Iowa, Cassius was a guest artist with Kennedy H.S. for the 2012 Corridor Jazz Project. At Ball State, Cassius performed with the BSU Jazz Lab Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Marimba Ensemble, and Latin Jazz Ensemble. He has also performed with the Ball State Theater Department in such shows as The Full Monty, Wild Party, Songs For The New World, Nunsense, Into The Woods, The World Goes Round, Violet, Urinetown, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the 2008 and 2009 New York Showcase. Cassius has also performed with the Muncie Civic Theatre in such shows as Big River and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In 2008, he was the recipient of the BSU Morgy Craig Jazz Scholarship Award.
Cassius has performed with various ensembles throughout the Midwest, New York, and Europe where he performed at the Montreux, Vienne, and Purugia Jazz Festivals. In 2011, he performed throughout Brazil as part of the Johnson County Landmark Jazz Ensemble. Cassius returned to Brazil in 2012 to tour with his friend and Brazilian guitarist/singer/songwriter Ricardo Coen. Cassius has played throughout Indiana and Iowa with a host of local jazz artists, as well as for indie/folk rock artist Cory Hill. Cassius has also performed with world renowned jazz artists such as Chuck Finley, Buddy Defranco, Andy Martin, Marcus Printup, Karyn Allison, Don Aliquo, Wayne Bergeron, Dennis DiBlasio, Ted Nash, Michael Davis, Matt Harris, Rodrigo Ursaia, Jimmy Greene, and Andy Milne. Cassius has also been a sub for the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Currently, Cassius performs regularly throughout the Midwest with his jazz quintet Groove Theory, who have appeared at such notable venues such as Andy's Jazz Club and main stage at the 2012 Iowa City Jazz Fest. He also regularly works as a sideman for a number of local Indianapolis groups, including Kool's Bazaar, The Matt Wilson Band, The Marlin McKay Group and Premium Blend. In April 2011, he released his debut album "Transition" that features his original compositions as well as his quintet Groove Theory.