Robert Chappell's wanderlust through the catalog of musical instruments began as a youth listening to his father, an accomplished pianist. Studying classical piano in this teens, Robert went on to study percussion at Ohio State, jazz at the University of North Texas and Indian tabla with Zakir Hussain and Alla Rakha. His unique emphasis on world percussion and jazz was formed by extensive touring and recording with the Paul Winter Consort, Rhythmic Union and steelpan artist Liam Teague. Robert tours throughout the U.S. and internationally, presenting clinics and performing his compositions with university percussion ensembles and steel bands.
As a composer, Robert's works are published by Row-Loff, Pan Press and Mostly Marimba. He was the winner of the 2006 Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest with "Open Window" for marimba and steelpan.
Active as an educator for more than 40 years, Robert is a Presidential Teaching Professor Emeritus at Northern Illinois University and also teaches at the National Institute of Music in San José, Costa Rica.
