Karl Rueterbusch (b. 2004) is a percussion performance student at the University of Michigan. He has performed as a timpanist and percussionist with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, the Flint Symphony Orchestra, the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan Symphony Band. Karl has won several music competitions, including the University of Michigan's 2023-24 Concerto Competition, the Flint School for the Performing Arts Concerto Competition, and the Lansing Concert Band’s Kenneth G. Bloomquist Prize. He was selected to perform at Indiana University’s Summer Music Clinic Honors Recital, and has also received numerous scholarships, including a U of M Music Merit Scholarship, the Bossart Prize, the St. Cecilia Society Scholarship and the Paul Torre Music Award. In addition to his classical timpani and percussion career, Karl performs on drumset, Jazz piano, and composes his own music for a variety of instruments in several different styles. Because of these varied interests, he attempts to blend diverse styles of music and percussion playing in his compositions and performances. He is inspired by musicians such as John Coltrane, Olivier Messiaen, and Igor Stravinsky. In his free time, Karl enjoys hiking, reading, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family.