Percussion @ Penn State Festival & Conference + Marimba Solo Competition April 2026

Described as “exhilarating” by The New York Times and “utterly mesmerizing” by The Guardian, the GRAMMY®-nominated Sandbox Percussion champions living composers through its unwavering dedication to contemporary chamber music. In 2011, Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum, and Terry Sweeney were brought together by their love of contemporary music and interest in expanding the percussion repertoire; they have since captivated audiences around the world through visually and aurally stunning performances. Today, the foursome are established leaders in contemporary music for percussion, engaging a wider audience for classical music through multidisciplinary collaborations with leading composers and artists

Charlie Heim is a drummer, music educator, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in central Pennsylvania. Born and raised in State College, PA, he earned a Bachelor of Music from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, with subsequent graduate study in music education at Penn State University.

Charlie’s performance and touring credits include William Gruff, Johnny Showcase and the Mystic Ticket, Grady Hoss and the Sidewinders, Martha Graham Cracker, the Alex Radus Trio, and Buried Beds, as well as hundreds of sessions with various recording artists, soundtracks, theater and musical productions. On the road, his bands have provided direct support for diverse and world-class musical acts such as George Clinton, Sun Ra Arkestra, and Kishi Bashi. He has drumming credits on a growing discography of over 80 original albums, and has had his compositions published both in print and on screen.

As an educator in the Philadelphia area, Charlie served on the drumset faculty at the University of the Arts, Music Director of the School of Rock in Cherry Hill, NJ, and lesson instructor/band director at Philadelphia’s Bluebond and Green Tambourine Music Schools. He currently teaches drumset lessons, guitar classes, and directs jazz combos and rock ensembles at Penn State University, as well as general music at CLC Charter School in State College. He continues freelance private instruction on a variety of instruments in the central Pennsylvania region, as well as operates a busy home recording studio.

Charlie proudly endorses Zildjian cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks.

Corporal Gage Kroljic currently serves as a percussionist with “The Commandant’s Own”, United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps. He has performed in parades, ceremonies, and concerts across the United States, as well as internationally in Norway, Australia, and New Zealand. Cpl Kroljic has performed for many distinguished guests to include the Vice President of the United States, the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer, as well as numerous senators, ambassadors, and military officials, both foreign and domestic. 

Prior to enlisting, Cpl Kroljic has made appearances with the Atlantic Brass Band, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Nittany Valley Symphony, Fusion Core Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Bushwackers Drum & Bugle Corps. He has served as a battery percussion technician and writer for Fusion Core Drum & Bugle Corps in 2021 and the percussion director for the Loch Haven University Bald Eagle Marching Band in 2019. Kroljic holds degrees from Penn State University (Bachelor of Music Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, and Professional Performance Certificate) and the University of Delaware (Master of Music Performance).

Gabriella Reyna is a percussionist, educator, and composer who has a strong passion for artistic collaboration. Throughout her career, Reyna has collaborated with composers: Jason Treuting, Ivan Trevino, Chris Cerrone, Jordan Jinosko, Omar Thomas, and Frank Ticheli. Her performance highlights include performing with the Baylor Percussion Group at PASIC 2018 and performing with the UTSA Percussion Ensemble at PASIC 2024, both in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Reyna attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas to pursue her Bachelor of Music in Music Education. During her time there, she had the pleasure of learning from Todd Meehan, Chris Sies, Ivan Trevino, and Edward Taylor.

In May of 2025, Reyna earned her Instrumental Performance Graduate Certificate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she was a student of Paul Millette & Sherry Rubins. During her time at UTSA, Reyna also frequently performed with the Mid-Texas Symphony, where she serves as their Education Coordinator.

In August of 2025, Reyna began working towards her Master of Music Performance degree at the Pennsylvania State University. There, she studies with Dr. Lee Hinkle and serves as a Graduate Assistant for the university’s Blue Band.

David Sabella is a composer, music educator, and passionate percussionist.  As a composer, he strives to bring a fresh perspective on the social norms of music, blending popular genres with contemporary aspects.  His flashy and groove-centered style brings the art form to new platforms to engage a larger part of society.  David has extensive experience composing for a broad range of genres.  The most notable include Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Solo, Marching Percussion Section, Indoor Percussion Section, and Drumline Cadences.  As a music educator, David has guided many students in achieving their musical goals.  His students have gone on to pursue their professional career in music at their desired institutions and programs.  David is a member of Mosaic Percussion, a group of 4 percussionists who push the status quo.  Mosaic Percussion, made up of Anthony Maldonado, Jacob Schiedt, David Sabella, and Craig DiGiamarino, have recorded and performed Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al under West Chester University’s 2025 Wind Ensemble album ‘Bright Shadows’.  After earning his undergraduate degrees from West Chester University, David looks forward to teaching at Penn State University where he is earning his M.A. in Percussion Performance.

Abigail Walton is an active percussionist, educator, and researcher based in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Especially adoring solo keyboard percussion repertoire, she was awarded first place in Penn State University’s 2025 Marimba Festival and has found recent competition success with Nathan Daughtrey’s Concerto for Vibraphone. Her next scheduled performance of the work will be with the Newark Symphony Orchestra in May 2026. Outside of performing, she is passionate about pedagogy, seen through her private lesson teaching and research grant awards. Abby is currently in her final year of undergraduate studies for Instrumental Performance at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where she presently studies with Dr. Ralph Sorrentino and Professor Chandler Beaugrand. She is grateful to all who have supported her throughout her musical journey.