A.J. Merlino, DMA is an acclaimed percussionist and educator whose distinguished career spans world-class performance and transformative leadership in higher education. A five-time GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award quarterfinalist and recipient of the 2025 Educator of Note Award from the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame, Merlino continues to redefine the intersection of art, pedagogy, technology, and workforce development.
Raised in West Long Branch, New Jersey, where live music filled local venues, Merlino discovered his passion for percussion at age 13. He earned a BA in Music from Kutztown University, performing internationally during his undergraduate studies, and went on to complete a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His doctoral dissertation, The Percussionist Bodybuilder: Optimizing Performance Through Exercise and Nutrition, reflects his dedication to holistic preparation and sustainable musicianship.
As a dynamic performer, Merlino has toured across Scotland, Croatia, Greece, Thailand, Australia, and Argentina with renowned ensembles and artists. In Las Vegas, he contributed to major productions and performed regularly at The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and Cosmopolitan. He also appeared on internationally televised events alongside artists such as Jay-Z, Cee Lo Green, Delta Rae, and Eric Marienthal.
Merlino’s artistry spans solo and ensemble performance, with premieres of new works for multi-percussion, marimba, and cimbalom. He has recorded and performed with groups including Thank You Scientist, We Used to Cut the Grass, Karmic Juggernaut, and the Colt Kayser Band. His solo project, Acoustic Spill, performs musical sleight of hand by blurring the line between acoustic, modified, and electronically generated sounds, leaving listeners unsure of what is real, processed, or imagined.
Transitioning into education, Merlino brings deep industry experience into the classroom. At Albright College, he served as Associate Dean, Director of Music Industry Studies, Music Department Chair, and Assistant Professor of Music, where he developed interdisciplinary curricula and forged partnerships with Atlantic Records, Live Nation, and Warner Music Group. At Harrisburg University, he advanced experiential learning as Associate Vice President for Student Professional Development and Experiential Learning, as well as Associate Professor of Business and Live Entertainment. Most recently, at Harrisburg Area Community College, he led change efforts as Department Chair of Communications, Humanities, and the Arts.
Beyond the classroom, Merlino contributes to the arts community as a clinician, project manager, and consultant. His educational leadership, which focuses on bridging academic learning with professional opportunities, has been widely recognized for its innovation and impact.
Merlino finds daily inspiration in his family, drawing strength and creativity from his wife and children. Whether performing, composing, teaching, or designing programs, he fosters environments where students develop creativity, resilience, and professionalism, living out his belief that arts education builds empathy, cultivates leadership, and inspires lifelong learning.