Steve Fitch studied Percussion at the Oberlin Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music with Professors Michael Rosen and John Beck. As percussionist/associate principal timpanist and drum set artist, he has performed with the Phoenix Symphony for over thirty years.
In Europe, Steve has recorded and toured twice with the North German Radio Orchestra (Hannover), performing with Al Jarreau, Ray Charles, Bobby McFerrin, and Patricia Kaas. He has also toured and recorded with the Kalamazoo Percussion Trio throughout Germany. Back in the day, Steve marched in DCI Finals and placed sixth in the DCI Individual snare drum competition.
Mr. Fitch is also the principal percussionist with the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, where he works with fine players from this country's top orchestras. Steve has served as the drummer for many of Phoenix's great Big Bands including the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Extreme Decibel Big Band, and the GCC Night Band.
He has drummed for Natalie Merchant, Andrea Bocelli, John Williams, Marvin Hamlisch, the Canadian Brass, the Indigo Girls, Keb Mo, Storm Large, Jason Alexander, Chris Walden, Bill Cunliffe, Tom Scott, Jim Witter, Brian Stokes-Mitchell, Ann Hampton Calloway, Megan Hilty, Matt Morrison, Cheyenne Jackson, Nicole Parker, Alfie Boe, Gary Foster, Seamus Blake, Scott Whitfield, Betsy Bishop, Mike Crotty, Dennis Rowland, Carl Saunders, Eric Marienthal, Wycliffe Gordon, Kristen Chenowith, Lisa Vroman, Rick Faugno and many others.
Steve has taught at the Festival of Young Artists in Bayreuth Germany and is presently on the faculty at Grand Canyon University.
He has written the four books, Fantastic Hands (mel bay), Fantastic Feet (mel bay), Flam Pathways (amazon.com) and Drum Set Freedom (Amazon.com). His percussion and timpani compositions are available through C. Alan Publications and Musikverlag Zimmermann.
Steve endorses Yamaha, Zildjian, Vic Firth, Remo, and Grover Pro Percussion.
