Three years ago, Kyle Cox and Jim Dusin combined forces to take on an ambitious and challenging new project that changed the direction, if not the heart, of Pantheon Steel: the Halo handpan. A truly twenty-first century descendant of the steel pan, the Halo represents the realization of a new vision of the 'Pan' as a hand-played steel instrument. This instrument has proved an instant success, and it is everything they can do to keep up with demand.
The marriage of art and technology is integral in how this art form will flourish and they are proud to have both attributes working hand in hand at Pantheon Steel.
Jim Dusin
Jim has decades of experience within the engineering, manufacturing, computer programing, machining and electrical professions and is now lending these skills towards the Pan world.
Jim began his professional career in 1958 as a Journeyman Electrician in the IBEW Apprentice Program in St. Louis, Missouri. He then joined the United States Air Force and was stationed in Riverside, California and specialized in aircraft and missile electronics. While stationed in Riverside he attended the University of Southern California and received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.
Jim then returned to St. Louis to begin a very active and vast career in electrical engineering. Jim held positions with several firms and worked in factories such as the Chrysler and Ford Assembly Plants, Continental Can Corp., Monsanto, local hospitals as well as the construction of the St. Louis Gateway Arch.
After retiring, Jim moved to Farmington, Missouri in 2003 to start his own company, American WeldTec (a specialty/custom fabrication and design shop), and live the good life until he met Kyle Cox. Retirement was soon over!
Jim has been integral in the creation of the Halo. Honestly, this would not have been possible without him.
Kyle Cox
It was clear to Kyle from an early age that music would be a lifelong love. And so it has been, with his childhood passion leading to a music scholarship at University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with director of percussion studies Dr. John Wooton. While at USM, Kyle participated in many musical ensembles, was a captain and arranger for the Pride Drumline, and was principal percussionist for the internationally-acclaimed USM Wind Ensemble. But none of those intrigued and enthused him as much as playing in the USM steel band. From the moment he first heard steel sing, Kyle was certain that in one form or another, that 'Pan' would be a huge part of his life. Upon graduating college, Kyle took a position at Coyle Steel Drums in Pensacola, Florida, and began a career in making steel pans. In 2004, Kyle started his own company, Pantheon Steel. In addition to creating instruments for people such as Kenny Chesney, the band 311, and others, Kyle has continued to perform. He has been been fortunate enough to play on stage with artists such as Ray Charles, Robbie Greenidge (the steel pan player for Jimmy Buffett), Cuban trumpet virtuoso Aurtoro Sandaval, and many others. Though Pan, and percussion, are now a successful career, they remain a passion, and music remains a life.
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