Scott Shinbara holds degrees from the University of Nebraska and the University of Arizona. He is currently ABD finishing up a DMA at the University of Arizona. His principal teachers include Tomm Roland, Norman Weinberg, and Gary Cook. Currently, Shinbara holds the position of adjunct instructor of percussion and general music at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Outside of his training in traditional concert percussion, he also has a specialty in World Music and Popular Music. He has performed across the United States and Europe, as well as conducting recent field work in Brazil.