Cory Fica

Dr. Cory Fica is currently Professor of Percussion and Instructor of Music at Arkansas Tech University. At ATU, Fica directs the ATU Percussion Ensemble, teaches applied percussion lessons, percussion methods and leads the ATU Band of Distinction Drumline.

Since joining ATU, Fica has been a featured concerto soloist numerous times with the ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, performing works such as Mason Bates’ Sideman and Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al. Alongside ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Fica professionally recorded Sideman in 2024. His performance can be heard on their latest album, Illustrious - now available on all digital streaming platforms. In 2026, Fica performed Re(new)al with Epoch Percussion Quartet on ATU Symphonic Wind Ensemble’s showcase concert for the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Southwestern Division Conference.

Fica is a founding member of the Epoch Percussion Quartet, a group that was formed while studying at the University of Texas at Austin with classmates Dr. Andrew Lynge, Dr. Oni Lara and Nigel Fernandez. Epoch has over a dozen performances as concerti soloists with some of the premier collegiate and professional wind ensembles throughout the United States. With Epoch, Fica has been a concerto soloist with groups such as the Dallas Winds (2017/2019/2021/2023), University of Texas Wind Ensemble (2017/2019/2023), University of Alabama Wind Ensemble (2020/2023), Interlochen Arts Academy Wind Ensemble (2017), Columbus State University Wind Ensemble (2023), Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble (2023) and Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (2024). Epoch have been featured soloists at conferences such as the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference and the American Bandmaster’s Association Convention.Their concerti repertoire has included Invisible Cities by Dinuk Wijeratne, Re(new)al by Viet Cuong, and Orbital by John Psathas. In early 2023, Epoch premiered the wind ensemble arrangement of John Psathas’ electroacoustic concerto, Orbital, with the Dallas Winds and University of Texas Wind Ensemble. Tim Diovanni, from The Dallas Morning News stated, “The Epoch Percussion Quartet, made up of Cory Fica, Nigel Fernandez, Oni Lara and Andrew Lynge, combined rhythmic precision with nonstop energy.”

At ATU, Fica has frequently collaborated alongside colleague and flutist, Dr. Phoebe Robertson. Together, the duo has presented recitals and clinics at ATU and numerous high schools across the state. In 2026, the duo led a commission consortium for a new duo work for flute and marimba- La Berma del Viento by composer Dr. Carolina Calvache. A professional recording, produced by Christian Amonson, will be released in Summer of 2026.

Fica regularly performs as section percussionist/timpanist with Miami-based hybrid orchestra, Nu Deco Ensemble. Nu Deco Ensemble is a genre-bending orchestra that blends traditional orchestral repertoire and modern collaborations with leading songwriters and GRAMMY-winning artists. Fica has been fortunate to perform on concerts that have featured notable artists such as Robert Glasper, Wyclef Jean, Ledisi, PJ Morton, Madison Cunningham and Andrew Bird.   

Fica has also performed as a substitute percussionist for the New World Symphony in Miami Beach. Recently, Fica performed on the 2026 NWS Percussion Consort, which featured the consortium commission premier performance of Pattern & Form by Alejandro Viñao. Fica also performed on Michael Tilson Thomas’ final concert as New World Symphony Artistic Director in 2022. Fica was also a member of Miambloco from 2022-2024, a community ensemble honoring the musical traditions of Brazil, Miami and beyond. Within Miamibloco, Fica played tamborim with the Bateria Saideira.

As a soloist, Fica was awarded 2nd Place Winner of the 2018 International Percussion Institute (IPI) Marimba Competition in Aberdeen, Scotland, and was awarded 3rd Place at the 2017 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) Solo Artist Competition. Fica has also performed in ensemble showcase concerts with the University of South Carolina Percussion Ensemble and University of Texas Percussion Ensemble at the 2012 PASIC and 2016 PASIC, respectively. 

Prior to moving to Arkansas, Fica was a freelance performer, studio musician and educator in the Miami, Florida and Austin, Texas areas, where he played in a variety of ensembles ranging from orchestral and contemporary chamber music to pop and rock. Fica was a member of ensembles such as the Central Texas Philharmonic (Principal Timpanist), Hear No Evil contemporary music ensemble, frequent collaborator for Tetractys new music collective, and was a drummer for many local songwriters and rock bands in the Austin music scene. As an educator, Fica taught at Round Rock High School from 2017-2021. Here, he taught private lessons, assisted with the percussion ensemble, and was a front ensemble instructor for the award-winning Round Rock High School Marching Band. During his time at Round Rock HS, the marching band were finalists at the 2017 and 2019 Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championship, as well as the 2019 BOA San Antonio Regional Finalists. 

Since 2023, Fica has been on the music faculty for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) - a four-week academic intensive in the summer for gifted high school students, who are selected through a rigorous selection process. Alums from this program are also members of notable youth ensembles such as Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble, and regularly receive top-placements at GMEA All-State Band & Orchestra. Many former students currently study music at top collegiate programs such as Northwestern University, Indiana University, University of Michigan.

Fica holds degrees from the University of Miami Frost School of Music (D.M.A), The University of Texas at Austin (M.M.) and The University of South Carolina (B.M.E.). His teachers and mentors include Svetoslav Stoyanov, Joseph Petrasek, Jerry Junkin, Dr. Thomas Burritt and Dr. Scott Herring.