Ethan Head

Ethan Head is a dynamic and versatile drummer, composer, and sound designer based in Eastern Iowa. Known for his steady, improvisational style and passion for live performance, Ethan blends technical precision with musical expression across rock, blues, country, and musical theater.

His musical journey began in kindergarten with piano lessons. Inspired by his older brother’s move into percussion, Ethan picked up the drums—a decision that set him on a lifelong creative path. Through high school, he performed regularly with bands from the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy, developing both his stage presence and a deep love for collaboration.

A highlight of his early career came in 2021, when he marched in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he participated in the Virtual Drum and Bugle Corps by Virtual Arts, demonstrating adaptability and dedication to his craft even in challenging times.

Ethan continued his formal studies at Iowa State University, majoring in Percussion Performance under Dr. Jonathan Sharp. There, he performed with the Cyclone Football Varsity Marching Band, toured Europe with the Wind Ensemble (London, Paris, Amsterdam), and premiered his original percussion composition Cliffs of Moher with the university’s Percussion Ensemble. He was also selected for the Honors Wind Ensemble, performing at Carnegie Hall in January 2023.

His drumming draws influence from artists such as Daniel Platzman (Imagine Dragons), Matt Vander Ende (Wicked on Broadway), Travis Barker, Steven Adler (Guns N’ Roses), and Casey Cooper, blending power, groove, and showmanship.

Ethan currently performs with several regional groups, including Matthew Kane and the Band Greenbriar, Hideaway Honey, and Patrick the Gathering, while also maintaining an active presence in musical theater, with credits in Footloose (Cedar County Stoplight Players, 2023), The Addams Family, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Bright Star (Clinton Area Showboat Theater, 2025).

As an educator, he supports young percussionists as a drumline technician, having worked with East Des Moines High School for three seasons and joining the Waterloo East High School marching band staff in Fall 2025.

Outside of live performance, Ethan works as a Sound Designer and Composer at SciPlay, where he crafts original sound design and for features within the company’s casino and casual gaming apps. Working primarily in Logic Pro and Cubase, he specializes in creating engaging, player-driven sonic experiences that bridge musical artistry with technical precision.

Ethan’s compositional and arranging work extends beyond game audio, spanning jazz, hybrid, and percussion ensembles. His professional arranging experience in marching percussion and his background in live performance inform a distinct creative voice—one that merges acoustic musicianship with modern production.

Ethan is currently pursueing a Bachelor of Arts in Music Business from the Berklee College of Music, with a Minor in Music Production and Recording, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Audio Arts from Full Sail University. These studies provide the foundation for his well-rounded approach to music creation—balancing performance, composition, and production with a deep understanding of the music industry.

Whether behind the drum kit, composing in the studio, or designing sound for digital media, Ethan’s mission remains clear: to make great music, tell stories through sound, and move people doing it.