John Soroka Click here for photographs Download Mr. Soroka's biography (MS Word) Principal Percussion John Soroka is Principal Percussion and Associate Principal Timpani of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. A native of Philadelphia, Soroka began studying percussion at the age of seven. He continued his education at Temple University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and did graduate work at the Philadelphia Musical Academy. While still a student he was a substitute percussionist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and for four summers was a fellowship performer at the Berkshire Music Center. Soroka was principal percussion and assistant timpani with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for five years, prior to joining the Pittsburgh Symphony in 1978. During that time he also served as chairman of the percussion department at the Peabody Institute. He has been on the faculty at Carnegie Mellon University and University of Delaware, and is active as a clinician for Percussive Arts Society. Soroka and his wife, Katherine, enjoy spending time at their farm near Clarion, PA. His interests also include hiking, motorcycling and baton-making.