Duane F. King
Owner/Founder of Elite Drum Major, LLC
.jpg "image title")
Duane F. King is the owner and founder of Elite Drum Major, LLC, a company dedicated to teaching diverse styles of drum majoring, while developing the leadership, discipline, and professionalism inherent in the role. With over 27 years of experience as a drum major and leader at various levels, he is passionate about combining these two worlds. Having led and performed in thousands of events across the U.S. as both a musician and drum major, the experiences that Duane offers are seldom matched.
He has performed for five Presidents of the United States and numerous other world leaders, including Pope Francis, the Prime Ministers of India, Australia, and Singapore, various foreign ministers and secretaries of defense agencies, and more than a dozen Medal of Honor recipients. He has taught clinics internationally, at numerous high schools and universities throughout the United States, and has led bands in front of millions of people during the 2017 Inauguration Parade and numerous Mardi Gras parades in and around the greater New Orleans area.With over 30 years of service in the United States Marine Corps, Duane retired in 2025 as the 40th Drum Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, DC, where he regularly led bands at the White House, Marine Barracks Washington, DC, and throughout the National Capital Region.
Duane currently serves as the Drum Major for the City of St. Augustine Pipe Band in St. Augustine, Florida. In this role, he has expanded his experience into the Scottish pipe band tradition and has competed in Drum Major competitions across the United States.
Having been introduced to drum majoring at a young age through the military, Duane developed a passion that endures to this day, and he is now dedicated to passing on his knowledge and inspiring the next generation. Duane received his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from American Military University and is currently working on his second book, which explores the history and evolution of drum majoring in America.
As a leading expert in the American military and regimental-styles of drum majoring, Duane provides individual instruction, group lessons, camps, clinics, and masterclasses designed to enhance the skills, confidence, leadership, and professional presence of drum majors and aspiring drum majors at all levels. Duane resides in St. Augustine, Florida, and is available for instruction and educational opportunities throughout the United States and internationally.