Dr. Kristopher Keeton is a percussion performer, educator, and clinician based in Washington D.C. He has appeared as a performer and soloist at multiple Percussive Arts Society International Conventions (PASIC), Carnegie Hall, and in Europe with Swedish percussion ensemble Global Percussion Network. As a featured clinician, Keeton has appeared in numerous settings in the United States and Europe, including PASIC, PAS Days of Percussion, The Midwest Clinic, music festivals, conferences, and universities. Known for his diversity, Keeton is active in the areas of chamber and solo percussion, drum set, symphonic percussion, marching percussion, and world percussion. Prior to his move to D.C. for a performance position, he was Coordinator of Percussion and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Music. Past faculty appointments also include Virginia Commonwealth University, the Eastern Music Festival, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Trinity International University, and the University of Richmond.
As a recording artist, Keeton can be heard playing drum set on the Hillvue Heights, Cragmont Records, and Stable Music record labels, and as a percussionist on trumpeter Rex Richardson's album release Intercontinental Concerto. He is a former member of the Winston-Salem Symphony, Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. Keeton's performing credits also include the Chicago Symphony Orchestra MusicNOW Ensemble, Eighth Blackbird contemporary ensemble, Virginia Symphony, Louisville Orchestra, and Nashville Chamber Orchestra.
Keeton received a Doctorate of Music and a master's degree in percussion performance from the Northwestern University Beinen School of Music. He received a bachelor's degree in percussion performance from Western Kentucky University. Keeton has studied with acclaimed percussionists Christopher Norton and Michael Burritt, James Ross of the Chicago Symphony, and drum set artists Chester Thompson and Paul Wertico.
Keeton is a Yamaha Performing Artist and an artist and clinician for Evans, Innovative Percussion, MEINL Percussion, and Zildjian.
