Originally from Churchton, Maryland, MEAGAN GILLIS (Principal Timpani) joined the Louisiana Philharmonic in 2023. She has previously served as principal timpanist of the Spokane Symphony (2017-2023) and Maryland Symphony (2015-2021). She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s in Timpani Performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music as a student of Paul Yancich (Cleveland Orchestra). She has previously performed with the Auckland Philharmonia, Cleveland Orchestra, Columbus Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and Fort Worth Symphony.
Outside of the orchestra, Meagan has performed extensively on the xylophone. Since 2014, she has been a member of Music Under New York and a seasonal member of Provincetown’s musician community. She has recorded and toured extensively with the contemporary jug band Bones Jugs, and has worked with Cole Escola, Hess Is More, the Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Tour, among others. In the summer you can find her performing in Provincetown as part of the country duo The Simple Sisters, as a guest at Billy Hough’s Scream Along, or as a solo ragtime act. In New Orleans you may find her in the French Quarter playing trombone and xylophone with The Dirty Rotten Vipers or The New Orleans Rhythm Method.