Originally from Virginia, Rich Stein began his studies of percussion at age 11 focused primarily on rudimental, orchestral, jazz, and rock drumming styles, under the guidance of John Brewington and Bill Pease. Further studies led him to Ghana, West Africa, in 1999 to study the drumming styles of the Ewe, Dagomba, and Ga people with Emmanuel Agbeli, Alhaji Abubakari Lunna, and Shamsuddin Adeji. In 2003, he learned Carnatic percussion, from maestro Guru Karaikudi R. Mani. Some of the artists, Rich has shared the stage with are Lauryn Hill, Richard Stoltzman, Lila Down, Steve Smith, Zakhir Hussian among others. He has also performed at some of the prestigious stages including Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall to name a few. Rich has also been deeply involved in the creation and co-development (with master ceramicist Walter Heath) of an innovative original percussion instrument called the Hydra, which will be available to the public in 2020. Rich currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
