Marcia McCants, an Alexandria, VA native, has a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry from James Madison University, a Master’s of Music Performance in Percussion from George Mason University, and a Master’s of Arts in Applied Psychology of Music from the University of Leeds. 

McCants has performed with the Colour of Music Orchestra in 2021 and 2024, and the Colour of Music Orchestra percussion section at PASIC in 2021. She also has performed with the Fairfax Wind Symphony Massanutten Brass Band, and the Brass Band of Northern Virginia. During her time at the University of Leeds, she co-founded the first percussion ensemble at the university through their student union, an ensemble that is still on going. 

She is also active within PAS, being a member of the Scholarly Research Committee since 2023. McCants has also worked with the Diversity Alliance in PAS. Her main focus of research is music performance and emotions, completing a dissertation on the topic as well as presenting her research. Her work in this field is to help musicians have a better music making experience.

McCants is currently an adjunct professor of percussion at Virginia State University, with a music psychology and well-being blog.