Kristen Shiner McGuire

Kristen has been playing drums and percussion since the age of 9. She is known internationally as a drummer, percussionist, singer, composer, and teacher. Her credits range from playing drums and singing lead vocals in rock and jazz groups to performing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Japan Philharmonic, the Pan Gaia Steel Band, as well as for artists Johnny Mathis and Clark Terry.  Kristen currently performs with the Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble (www.maelstrompercussion.com) and the RPO Marimba Band.  She is the drummer and lead vocalist for two of Rochester's finest bands- Elle, an all female jazz trio; and the  premier rock/R and B/ funk group, Stone Ojo Band. (It is with Stone Ojo that Kristen proudly plays her Sleishman drum kit!).  Kristen has performed at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in Jamaica, and at various venues in St. Thomas, among others.

Kristen Shiner McGuire is Coordinator of Percussion Studies at Nazareth College of Rochester, where she has taught since 1984. In 1998 she received the Excellence In Undergraduate Teaching Award.  She is an active performer and published composer :among her compositions are Juniper for solo marimba; and Celestial Welcome for percussion ensemble (Alfred Publishing) Declaration, Song, and Dance for solo timpani (Ludwig Music);  and several pieces by Kendor Music for young percussionists.  Her drumset quartet, ‘Dis Is How Her Songo, was composed in 2002 for the Women's Percussion Project is  available from ReallyGoodMusic.com. 

Kristen has served on the Board of Directors for the international Percussive Arts Society; as Secretary  for the Executive Council; and as New York Chapter President for PAS. She has published articles in Percussive Notes, The Instrumentalist, and School Music News, and has her own column in the latter.

Kristen has recorded cd’s with the Maelstrom Percussion Ensemble (“Bank Shots”), the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra,  Jon Seiger and The All Stars; A Tribute to Louis Armstrong, The Metropolitan Stompers, and The Pop Tarts, to name a few.

As a clinician for Sleishman Drums, Mike Balter Mallets, Sabian Cymbals, and Regal Tip Calato sticks, Kristen performs and gives clinics throughout the U.S.   She resides in Rochester, NY with her husband and 2 stray animals.

For more information, visit www.kristenshinermcguire.com.