Freak Out with Frank Zappa

Dr. Michael Yonchak explores the life, work, and impact of one of modern music's greats: Frank Zappa. Michael S. Yonchak is a Professor of Music at Otterbein University, teaching a variety of ensembles and courses in general education and popular music history, as well as overseeing Otterbein's new Commercial Music program. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Yonchak maintains an active schedule as a freelance percussionist in the Columbus area, currently appearing with the KB4 Jazz Organ Quartet, and perennial appearances with the Lost Revival (indie rock) and internationally recognized flamenco dancer/instructor Griset Damas-Roche of the Flamenco Company of Columbus. Recent endeavors include presentations for Otterbein University's "Lifelong Leaning Community" (LLC) on the history of Rock and Roll and the Roots of Hip Hop, two co-authored article publications in the Percussive Arts Society's Percussive Notes : an analysis of Jennifer Higdon's Grammy-winning Percussion Concerto (December 2023), followed by an historic overview of Frank Zappa 's percussionists (April 2024), and a complete manifestation of Frank Zappa 's landmark jazz fusion album Hot Rats (1969), reorchestrated for wind ensemble with rock band and performed by the Otterbein Wind Ensemble in December of 2024.