‘It’s lots of enjoyable’: Episcopal faculty instructor attracts tens of millions of views on-line with percussion covers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville instructor is popping heads on-line — one drumbeat at a time.

Greg Hersey, director of instrumental music at Episcopal School of Jacksonville, has gone viral for his percussive covers of widespread songs, racking up tens of millions of views and greater than half 1,000,000 followers on Instagram.

Hersey, a Florida native, has been a classroom instructor for 9 years and an adjunct professor for 3. But music has been a part of his life far longer than that.

“My parents play, my dad was a drummer and still is,” Hersey stated. “As early as I can remember, I’ve just been around drums my whole life. I have two younger brothers that both play. That’s how I met my wife, through high school band. Everything music, all the time.”

Going viral was by no means a part of the plan, Hersey stated — it simply occurred.

“I find a lot of joy in it,” he stated. “It’s a lot of fun trying to figure out these different arrangements for these popular hip-hop songs, rock songs — some that people can find relatable and find joy in.”

His covers span genres, together with a percussion rendition of OutKast’s “So Fresh and So Clean,” which he carried out dwell for News4Jax anchor Jenese Harris throughout her go to to the college.

The response from followers around the globe has at instances caught Hersey off guard.

“Sometimes the reach is so far and wide it’s overwhelming,” he stated. “I think my first taste of success with that was many years ago in the early days of Instagram.”

Beyond the views and followers, Hersey stated his deeper purpose is encouraging folks to hear — and really feel — extra deeply.

“Just having a deeper level of appreciation for music and finding the joy in it of just being an active listener,” he stated. “My hope and dream is to always inspire others to do the same, and I’ve seen that. People from all over the world are tagging me for their interpretation of what I’m doing, and I love to see that. It is so cool.”

And what’s Hersey’s favourite track — and the one which modified his life — it’s “Tom Sawyer” by Rush.