Kevin Zetina
Kevin Zetina is a passionate performer, composer, and arranger specializing in contemporary music. His work spans performing landmark works of the last century, premiering or composing new works, and arranging popular music for contemporary classical ensembles. He has collaborated with members renowned groups such as Eighth Blackbird, Ensemble Signal, the JACK Quartet, and the Bang on a Can All-Stars. Recent projects include a TEDx performance in Shenzhen, China; the publication of a new book, Polyrhythms Through Pop Music, and the production of seven accompanying videos showcasing the book’s original compositions.
Kevin currently serves as Lecturer of Percussion at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he directs the UT Chamber Percussion Ensemble, teaches applied lessons, and fulfills a variety of other duties for the college. He also serves as Percussion Faculty at the Nief-Norf Summer Festival.
Kevin holds a BM from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Michael Burritt as a Howard Hanson Scholarship recipient, and he earned his MM and MMA degrees from Yale University as a Havemeyer Scholarship recipient under the mentorship of Robert van Sice. Kevin’s compositions are published through Liquidrum, and he is a proud Pearl/Adams Concert Performing Artist and Vic Firth Educational Artist.
Kevin currently serves as Lecturer of Percussion at the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he directs the UT Chamber Percussion Ensemble, teaches applied lessons, and fulfills a variety of other duties for the college. He also serves as Percussion Faculty at the Nief-Norf Summer Festival.
Kevin holds a BM from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Michael Burritt as a Howard Hanson Scholarship recipient, and he earned his MM and MMA degrees from Yale University as a Havemeyer Scholarship recipient under the mentorship of Robert van Sice. Kevin’s compositions are published through Liquidrum, and he is a proud Pearl/Adams Concert Performing Artist and Vic Firth Educational Artist.
Polyrhythms Through Pop Music: Advanced Snare & Tape Solos Set to Popular Music
Session Description:
This session explores the snare drum + tape pieces featured in my new book, Polyrhythms Through Pop Music, accompanied by corresponding video projections for each piece. Published through Liquidrum, the book includes seven snare drum solos, each scored to a song in a distinct popular style. With genres ranging from mathcore to microtonal EDM to hip hop, there is surely something for everyone.
These solos present a fresh approach to phrase development, emphasizing tension and release through nested tuplets and polrhythms that interact with the tape and video elements. While the snare writing can be complex, the electronics keep the rhythms grounded in simple meters, making the pulse and groove more accessible. The book aims to strengthen rhythmic awareness and timing through 30 minutes of music across the seven solos, packed with a variety of polyrhythmic concepts.
The presentation will highlight:
-The composition process for integrating audio and video
-Techniques for mastering nested rhythms
-Approaches to performing with tape and video accompaniment
The songs used in the book are as follows:
Seaside Town (2011) – Baths
LK WX (2021) – Frontierer
Half Breed (2021) – BIG|BRAVE
Blood of the Fang (2019) – clipping.
Black Blood (2016) – Car Bomb
Starfish (2021) – Sevish
I Am Colossus (2012) – Meshuggah
In addition to the seven solos, the book includes approximately 50 exercises designed to target both specific measures in each solo as well as broader rhythmic concepts found throughout the book. They provide a foundation for mastering nested rhythms and polyrhythms, serving as an essential resource for developing these advanced techniques.
These solos present a fresh approach to phrase development, emphasizing tension and release through nested tuplets and polrhythms that interact with the tape and video elements. While the snare writing can be complex, the electronics keep the rhythms grounded in simple meters, making the pulse and groove more accessible. The book aims to strengthen rhythmic awareness and timing through 30 minutes of music across the seven solos, packed with a variety of polyrhythmic concepts.
The presentation will highlight:
-The composition process for integrating audio and video
-Techniques for mastering nested rhythms
-Approaches to performing with tape and video accompaniment
The songs used in the book are as follows:
Seaside Town (2011) – Baths
LK WX (2021) – Frontierer
Half Breed (2021) – BIG|BRAVE
Blood of the Fang (2019) – clipping.
Black Blood (2016) – Car Bomb
Starfish (2021) – Sevish
I Am Colossus (2012) – Meshuggah
In addition to the seven solos, the book includes approximately 50 exercises designed to target both specific measures in each solo as well as broader rhythmic concepts found throughout the book. They provide a foundation for mastering nested rhythms and polyrhythms, serving as an essential resource for developing these advanced techniques.
Session Category:
- Electronic/Technology
Date:
Friday, November 14, 2025
Time:
10:00 AM
Location:
Room 101
Session Type:
Clinic / Performance
Session Format:
Shared
