Steve Smeltzer has been a fixture in the Fort Wayne music scene for 35 years. He’s played with various bands at about every local venue, from the tiniest hole-in-the-wall to the Memorial Coliseum. Best known as a drum teacher, he has taught thousands of students, many of which have gone on to professional music careers or have even become drum teachers themselves.

Steve began his teaching career at age 15 at Guy Zimmerman Music in Fort Wayne. He remembers his dad racing to pick him up from driver’s training to tell him that his drum instructor, Kent Stier, couldn’t teach lessons that night and had requested that Steve fill in for him. He loved the experience and shortly after was hired as the permanent replacement for Kent.

Steve’s fondness for education has transferred to his instructor role at the Academy. His teaching style values individual attention, positive reinforcement, and real-world rudiments. No matter your level, Steve can help you unleash your inner drummer.