Brad Shores joined Ave Maria University as the Assistant Director of Bands in July of 2025.
A seasoned music educator and celebrated percussionist, Shores began his long career in the marching arts as a member of the Skyryders Drum and Bugle Corps in the early 80s. His journey as an educator began in 1983 as a percussion instructor for the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corp in Great Bend, KS.
From there, Shores's career spanned decades and disciplines. After teaching strings in the Paradise Valley School District in Phoenix, he served for 11 years as band director in Nickerson, KS, where he made Kansas history by starting the first steel drum band and first novelty percussion group (Stinkin' Garbage). He also founded Rebel Drums, the state's first indoor percussion ensemble. Shores later directed the bands at Haven High School (2000-2016), teaching everything from concert and marching band to jazz, guitar, and steel pans. His steel drum ensembles have performed at the Kansas Music Educator Conference five times, and in 2016, he was named Kansas Music Educator of the Year.
Shores went on to teach at Bethel College in Newton, KS. After relocating to Southwest Florida, Shores joined Collier County Schools as a music teacher at Corkscrew Middle School in 2023.
He is also widely known for his work in the steel drum world, having published 16 method books and hundreds of arrangements for pan players around the globe. He has performed throughout the Midwest and Florida as founding member of the Tropical Shores Steel Drum Band, and currently performs with his wife Erica as Tropical Shores Steel Drums across Southwest Florida.
