Robert Steadman

Hi, I'm Rob Steadman of Uptown Drumming. I have been behind the Drum Kit for 20 years, 13 of those years as a professional touring a recording drummer. I have taught students of all ages and all abilities to great success. Whatever your goals, whether you delight in mastering this complex instrument, or whether you hope to be a professional yourself one day, I can help you get there. As a South African, I was raised on the drumbeats and rhythms of traditional Zulu and Xhosa folk music. Growing up in the UK, I received classical training in drum kit, chorus, and piano, and built a career as a professional drummer with the critically-acclaimed band Stornoway. I’ve played some of the world’s most renowned stages. With numerous critically-acclaimed albums, EPs, and singles under my belt, I’ve mastered all stages of recording and producing under the tutelage of some of the finest producers in the business. Now, as a New Yorker, I blend these very different approaches into a unique teaching methodology that emphasizes self-discipline and enjoyment while encouraging creative rule-breaking. I believe that this empowers my students to find their own musical voices inside and outside of the learning environment. I have extensive experience with students - from early learners (Pineapple Explorers Club, Little Maestros, Art Start) to Elementary School Children (Lead Music Teacher at Success Academy Charter Schools), to middle and high-schoolers (Teaching Artist, City-As-High School, a part of New York Edge and the Department of Education). This extensive teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of educational pedagogy, which I use to better serve my individual students.