Dave Kropf has had a passion for percussion since the age of 8 and began his formal education at the age of 11. His early days of percussion were steeped in musical training and instilled a sense of muscianship that have influenced his playing to this day. His love of the drum set continued throughout high school and into college.
Dave Kropf studied music education and composition at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC where he honed his skills on orchestral and ethnic percussion under composer, Scott Meister, and Philador Percussion Group member Rob Falvo. He also studied frame drum with Glen Velez, and timpani with NC Symphony's principal timpanist, Chris Dean. He holds a Bachelor's of Music degree from the University of Memphis the and is pursuing his Master's Degree in Jazz Studies (drum set) at the University of Memphis.
A versatile and well rounded percussionist, he has performed around the country from St. Louis, Missouri to Columbia, South Carolina. In North Carolina he performed with several theater companies including Lees McCrae Theater, Livestock/Community Theater of Greensboro, High Point Community Theater, and Masterworks Theater of Albemarle. Also, he has performed with the popular musical group, jOb, where he recorded "Strangely Dim" - jOb's debut album.
Dave Kropf's influences include some of the most prominent jazz, fusion, and rock drummers of all time including Art Blakey, Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Max Roach, Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Max Weinberg, and Neil Peart.
Dave resides in Memphis, TN, with his wife, Shannon. He is the head of Percussion Studies at VISIBLE SCHOOL - Music & Worship Arts College, where he performs, lectures, and holds private instruction. He can be heard regulary drumming for singing sensation, Dani McCulloch and also around Memphis performing with The Bebop Broadcasting Network or the Kathryn Stallins Band.
Dave Kropf is a professional member of the Percussive Arts Society and a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Honorary Band Fraternity.
Professional Experience:
1988-1999
Percussionist, Principle Timpanist - High Point First Wesleyan Church. Performances: Living Christmas Tree
1992-1993
Percussionist, Snare Drum – Appalachian State University Drumline
1992-1995
Percussionist, Appalachian State University Percussion Ensemble. Notable Performance: Percussive Arts Society Day of Percussion 1994, Culawhee, NC
Percussionist – Appalachian State University Wind Ensemble
Percussionist – Appalachian State University Steely Pan Steel Band
1993-1995
Percussionist, Drummer - Lees-McCrae Theater, Banner Elk, NC. Performances: Guys and Dolls, The Secret Garden, Into the Woods, Nunsense, I Remember Mama, Cheaper by the Dozen, Camelot
1994
Principal Timpanist, Appalachian State University Orchestra
Composer, Arranger - Appalachian State University Drumline
Composer, Arranger - North Lenoir High School Drumline, Lenoir, NC
1995
Percussionist – University of North Carolina at Greensboro Wind Ensemble
1999
Percussionist, Drummer - Wally West Music Resource, Greensboro, NC. Performances: Premier Furniture Debut, International Home Furnishings Market, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1998
Percussionist, High Point Community Theater, High Point, NC. Performances: Grease
2000
Percussionist, Drummer - Livestock Theater, Greensboro, NC. Performances: Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz, Damn Yankees
2000-2001
Percussionist, Drummer - Gate City Vineyard Church, Greensboro, NC. Performance: Performances: Talks with God (I/II)
2001
Percussionist, Drummer - Bartlett Performing Arts Center. Performances: Footloose
2001-Present
Percussionist, Drummer, DJ - VISIBLE SCHOOL. Performances: Vignettes 2002, VISIBLE Concert Series 2003: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, V2
Percussionist, Drummer, DJ – The Visible Collective (VISIBLE SCHOOL Faculty ensemble). Notable Performance: Godstock 2002, Crichton College
Director, VISIBLE SCHOOL World Music Ensemble
2002
Drummer – Rob Caudill & Tonight’s the Night Band
2002-Present
Composer, Arranger, Producer – DJ Huff N Puff. Notable performances: FedEx Forum, INTENSITY:Covington
2003
Drummer, DJ, Arranger, Producer – Autumn Fox Project.
2003 - Present
Drummer - Grace Church of the Nazarene
2004
Judge - Guitar Center Drum Off 2004.
2004-Present
Drummer – The Bebop Broadcasting Network, Notable Performances: Glass House 383, Jay Etkins Gallery, Huffman’s Deli, Memphis, TN;
