Steve Smith is a Seattle-based drummer, educator, and founder of the Seattle Drum School of Music, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected independent music schools.
This podcast was recorded in 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 out break.
Smith launched the school in 1986, originally teaching drums out of a tiny room in North Seattle. Over time, what began as a drum lesson operation evolved into a full-scale music education institution offering instruction in drums, guitar, bass, piano, voice, and other instruments.
Smith’s background combines formal musical education with decades of practical performance and teaching experience. He holds both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees and has taught for more than fifty years.
Under Smith’s leadership, the Seattle Drum School expanded into multiple Seattle locations, including Lake City and Georgetown, serving hundreds of students annually with a faculty of professional working musicians. The school developed a reputation not just for technical instruction, but for fostering creative community and accessibility in music education. Smith and his wife, Kristy Smith, helped shape the organization into a broader arts hub focused on inclusion, performance opportunities, and artistic growth.
Beyond education, Smith has remained active as a drummer and author. His book Keys to the City explores rhythm, timing, and musical expression through drumming. Over nearly four decades, his influence has extended far beyond drum instruction, helping cultivate generations of Seattle-area musicians and contributing significantly to the city’s independent music culture
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