Mr. Callahan began studying percussion at the age of 6 and was playing in the snare drum section of a competing Drum and Bugle Corps by the time he was 9 years old, 

 

He has performed with the percussion sections of the Blessed Sacrament Golden Knights and the Garfield Cadets Junior drum & bugle corps and performed with the New York Skyliners Senior Corps.

 

After his military service he attended Jersey City State College to major in Music Education. While attending school he began private teaching and instructing high school and drum corps drum lines in the New Jersey and New York area. He was the drum instructor for the Long Island Sunrisers from the fall of 1975 to the summer of 1977.

 

Recognized as one of the most knowledgable technicians for playing techniques, Mr. Callahan has been a staff member and Instructor with several DCI and DCA finalists including the Cadets, Cavaliers, Guardsman, Troopers, Sunrisers, Reading Buccaneers, and Erie Thunderbirds and Les Clique Allouette.

 

He has served as a consultant and Marching Percussion Instructor for the drum line programs at University of North Texas, Fresno State University, University of Houston, Westfield High School, Klein High School, Spring High School, Langham Creek High School, Lake Highlands High School, and Klein Forest High School.

 

Mr. Callahan has also served as a clinician and designer for several drum manufacturers including the Ludwig Drum Company, Slingerland Drum Company, and Pearl Drum Company.

 

He has performed and lectured as a clinician for colleges and educational seminars throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.

 

Mr. Hemphill began teaching in 1985 while studying as a Music Education Major at Sam Houston State University. Alex taught private saxophone lessons in the Aldine Independent School District as well as piano and guitar lessons at Loftis Music Studios. He was a brief owner of Allegro Music Studios before joining the staff of the Callahan School of Music in 1993.

 

Mr. Hemphill is the Director of the Houston Rock Academy, is certified in the Soft Mozart method of Piano Instruction, and is recognized as one of the finest guitar teachers for young students as well as adults.