Justin VanWagenen

Percussion, Piano, Guitar, Bass, Rock Academy Instructor

Madcap Education Center

Justin Van Wagenen was born and raised right here in Cincinnati,OH. He attended Sycamore schools and was extremely active in their music programs growing up. Sycamore has been nationally ranked for it's music programs, and their marching band has placed in the top 30 in the nation. Throughout his early years, Justin played drum set in Sycamore's jazz band, electric orchestrea, pep band and others. He also played regualry with his original band, Bright Eyed Youth who frequented many venues in Cincinnati. One of these venues, The Underground, gave Bright Eyed Youth the opportunity to open for Twenty One Pilots when Justin was just 16. In addition to drumset, Justin recived 8 total superior ratings at OMEA Solo and Ensemble competions in percussion ensemble, orchestral snare drum, multiple percussion and more. He was a section leader in the drumline from his Sophomore year onward. He also was 1st chair in Sycamore's top band and earned 2nd chair in OMEA's district 14 Honor Band.  Right out of High School, Justin started teaching and has not stopped since! His first gig was teaching drumline at Western Brown High School. After just his first season, Justin started composing the winter percussion shows and wrote the following season's marching band percussion parts for a Danny Elfman themed show. Justin lead the Western Brown Drumline to their highest score and placement in 2015, the same year he released his third album "Searching For Sweetness" under the name "Mint Leopard". This album would go on to be nominated for best orginal album at the CEA's (Cincinnati Entertainment Awards) During his 3 year tenure at Western Brown High School, Justin studied business at The University Of Cincinnati, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.84 GPA. After business school, Justin attended the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (CCM) for 3 years, where he majored in Music Education and Jazz Drumset. These three years allowed Justin to learn instruments outside of the drums and learn countless pedagogical approaches. Hi main instruments are drums, piano, guitar and bass, but Justin can work with beginners on all brass, woodwind and string instruments as well. While studying music, Justin taught pribate lessons and rock band classes at Guitar Center and School of Rock Northern Kentucky. Justin begain teaching at Madcap Education Center (formerly ETB Music and Fine Arts Center) in 2021. In addition to teaching several of the rock band classes and lessons, Justin also manages several compents of the business, such as designing and managing the website, accoutning, marketing, logistics, etc.  In his free time, Justin still creates orginial music with several groups, such as Sungaze Jamwave Mint Leopard Co.Etc Bellowing Pines Jay Madera Fycus.