Meet the Allen B. Cutting John Manuel Camp Percussion Chairs for Arts Camp 2025
Becca Laurito and Robert Knopper, both distinguished percussionists and Camp alums, will mentor young musicians this summer.
Each year, Interlochen Arts Camp invites some of the world’s finest performers to northwest Michigan where they mentor young musicians. Thanks to generous donors, this year’s percussion faculty includes two outstanding percussionists, who will take three-week turns holding the Allen B. Cutting John Manuel Camp Percussion Chair throughout the summer.
Becca Laurito (IAC 97-02) is the Principal Percussionist of the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra in Honolulu and performs regularly with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Prior to her appointment in Hawai’i in 2017, Becca maintained an active freelance career in Chicago, serving as Principal Percussion in the Dubuque Symphony, Section Percussion in Battle Creek Symphony, and as an extra player in Kansas City Symphony, among others. A Chicago native, Becca received her degrees from Northwestern University, DePaul University, and Temple University. Her primary teachers were James Ross, Alan Abel, Chris Deviney and Eric Millstein. As a student, Becca earned fellowships with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and National Repertory Orchestra, and served as a substitute with the New World Symphony. In addition to her musical career, Becca is trained in various forms of holistic healing methods. She teaches musical techniques to wellness instructors, including the use of gongs and other instruments for meditative purposes. In her spare time, Becca enjoys exploring Hawaii’s beautiful hiking trails and beaches with her husband, Zach.
Robert Knopper (IAC 02-03) is a percussionist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Since joining the orchestra in 2011, he has been featured on the GRAMMY-winning recording of Der ring des Nibelungen, the 60 Minutes segment "A Night at the New York Metropolitan Opera", and in The Met: Live in HD movie theatre presentations worldwide. Rob’s debut album, delécluse: douze études for snare drum, is the first recording of snare drum’s most influential and elaborate composition, and was recorded in audio and HD video at The New World Center in Miami Beach, Florida, where Rob previously held a position with the New World Symphony. Rob has also performed with the All-Star Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, and as the timpanist of the National Repertory Orchestra. He has taught at numerous prestigious clinics and masterclasses. Rob is an avid ragtime xylophonist, songwriter, drumset player, and guitarist. He plays in the band The Paisley Fields, based in Brooklyn. Rob graduated from The Juilliard School in 2009 where he studied with Greg Zuber, Joseph Pereira, and Daniel Druckman. robknopper.com
The Allen B. Cutting John Manuel Camp Percussion Chair honors the commitment and dedication of Life Trustee John F. Manuel (IAC/NMC 81-82, IAA 82-83) and Allen B. Cutting. Funded by the Cutting Foundation, the chair supports a Camp faculty position in percussion in memory of both Allen B. Cutting and John Manuel. The gift from the foundation celebrates the long affiliation of the Cutting and Manuel families with Interlochen.
Interlochen Arts Camp is the nation’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts program, where students in grades 3-12 are guided by internationally renowned artists as they study music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, interdisciplinary arts, and film in a natural setting alongside like-minded peers. Learn more about Interlochen Arts Camp.
