ABOUT Sean J. Kennedy

SESSION TITLE: Orchestrating Your Dream Gig: How To Get A Drumset Gig With An Orchestra, And Get Called Back Again!

American drummer and percussionist Sean J. Kennedy currently performs as Principal Percussionist for the Philadelphia Boys Choir & Chorale, a position he has held since 2004. He is also the drummer for The Gardyn Jazz Orchestra and The Doc Severinsen Tribute Band, featuring Jay Webb. 

As a multi-faceted musician, he has performed on drumset and percussion with world-renowned acts like the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, The Philly POPS! Orchestra, Lindsey Stirling, Roger Daltrey, Evanescence, Il Volo, and Warren Haynes, to name a few. In addition to his active performance schedule, Kennedy serves on the music faculty at Arcadia University and in the Upper Dublin and Wissahickon school districts. 

Kennedy is actively involved in the percussion community, serving on the Percussive Arts Society Drum Set Committee and holding the position of secretary for the Pennsylvania chapter of PAS. His scholarly contributions to the field of percussion include the publication of several award-winning books on drum set techniques, percussion, and improvisation. He has also shared his expertise through a TEDx Talk titled “Happy Accidents: Drumming Up Serendipity,” which explores the historical development of the drum set. 

Kennedy holds a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Chester University. He is an artist endorser for Canopus Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Grover Pro Percussion, Evans Drumheads, Casio Keyboards, One Beat Better, and The Drum Wallet. 

Jazz legend Dave Brubeck stated that Sean’s drumming, “…sounds like it should—it swings!”