Alan D. Shinn served as Professor of Percussion at Texas Tech University since 1982. He held the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Missouri and the Master of Music degree from Texas Tech University. His primary teachers were Tim Lautzenheiser and Ron Dyer. He served as Chair of the Winds/Percussion Area from 2004-2007. Shinn was the Director of Jazz Studies at Tech from 1985-2005 and retired from leading the summer jazz program in 2013. From 2005-2015, Shinn served the Texas Tech University School of Music as Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies.

Prior to coming to Texas Tech in 1982 as faculty percussionist, he served as Instructor of Percussion and Jazz at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Over 150 percussion students have graduated with music degrees at TTU since 1982 and are enjoying careers in education (all levels) and performance as well as music business and industry. Shinn is Principal Timpanist with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra and a former member of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as Principal Timpanist/Percussionist with the Roswell, NM Symphony and has performed a number of times with the chamber orchestras of Santa Fe Pro Musica and 20th Century Unlimited.

Alan Shinn wa also a busy drum set artist as well as an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the Southwest and Midwest. He was an Artist Endorser of Vic Firth and Paiste Cymbals. Alan Shinn was the 2009 recipient of the William Kerns Performing Arts Award for his contribution to the performing arts in Lubbock. In November at the 2012 Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Austin, TX, Professor Shinn received the Society's Lifetime Achievement in Education Award. In 2015, Shinn was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Lubbock Roots Historical Council in conjunction with the Caprock Jazz Festival.