Mt. Juliet, TN, July 17, 2026...Percussion educator Layne Wellman has spent his career guiding students from their first rudiments to their college auditions. Now he's bringing that passion to the Mapex Marching artist roster.

Based in Ashland, Kentucky, Wellman currently serves as Percussion Caption Head for the Seattle Cascades Drum & Bugle Corps and Assistant Band Director/Percussion Director at Portsmouth West High School, leading students ranging from beginning percussionists to collegiate-bound music education candidates. He builds curriculum, develops staff, and sets performance standards from the ground up, then works one-on-one with students on instruction, audition preparation, and mentorship.

Mapex Marching has spent nearly 20 years building and evolving instruments for exactly this kind of program: gear engineered to grow with a musician, backed by one of the strongest warranties in the industry and the same core technology across every tier of the lineup. That's the standard behind every artist on the roster, Wellman included.

“Layne's calm and purposeful approach to teaching has been refreshing to watch,” said John Harvill, Artist Relations Manager for Mapex Marching. “His passion for percussion education, commitment to student success, and ability to build meaningful programs make him an outstanding addition to the Mapex/Majestic artist family."

"Having worked with Mapex and Majestic throughout my educational and professional experiences, I've always felt supported and valued by the people behind the instruments. There is no other team I would rather represent," Wellman said.

Learn more about Layne Wellman and explore the full Mapex Marching lineup at: https://www.mapexdrums.com/us/artists/layne-wellman.