James Petercsak holds the rank of SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, and has served as the percussion faculty member at SUNY Potsdam’s internationally known Crane School of Music since 1967. He has been recognized as a University Scholar & United University Professionals Best Award Winner. In 2003 he was honored by the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association with an Honorary Life Membership, and in 2010 he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Manhattan School of Music. He is a former international president of the Percussive Arts Society, and today his students hold prestigious faculty appointments at many of the world’s finest colleges and universities, as well as senior executive positions in the music products industry.
Petercsak has toured throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia under the auspices of the Cultural Program of the United States. He has performed with Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Renée Fleming, the American Symphony, the New Jersey State Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, and artists such as Liza Minnelli, Dionne Warwick, Melissa Manchester, Johnny Mathis, Sammy Davis Jr., Barry Manilow, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughan, Cleo Laine, Nancy Wilson, Della Reese, Carol Channing, Billy Eckstine, Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, George Benson, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Jerry Vale, Glen Campbell, Liberace, Henry Mancini, Michel Legrand, Jimmy Roselli, Joel Grey, Engelbert Humperdinck, Rosemary Clooney, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, Pearl Bailey, and Louie Bellson, among many others.
Petercsak has had many articles and methods published including “Double-Drums” with Louie Bellson and “Big Bad and Beautiful” with Roy Burns. Currently, he is head of the percussion area at the Crane School of Music where he teaches applied percussion and directs the award winning Crane Percussion Ensemble. Petercsak is in demand as a performer, conductor, clinician, consultant, as well as a music industry personality and visionary.