Thomas Lang Thomas Lang is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and record producer. He is the founding member of the Los Angeles-based progressive/avant garde metal trio, stOrk. Lang took up drumming at age 5. In addition to lessons at local music schools and years of private tuition, he was classically trained at the Vienna Conservatory of Music. After leaving the conservatory in 1985, Lang began working professionally, working his way through the European pop, rock and jazz scenes. As a session musician he played for artists such as John Wetton, Robert Fripp, Glenn Hughes, Peter Gabriel, Asia, Nik Kershaw, Tina Turner, Robbie Williams, Kelly Clarkson, Sugababes, Geri Halliwell, Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Ronan Keating, Steve Hackett, 911, Boyzone, Falco, Nina Hagen, Steve Jones, Mick Jones, The Commodores, George Michael, Doogie White, B*Witched, Gianna Nannini, Lighthouse Family, Westlife, Kylie Minogue, The Blockheads, Sertab Erener, Vienna Art Orchestra, Bonnie Tyler and Nadine Beiler. Thomas is considered to be a fantastic instructor and his instructional products are best-sellers. Steve Smith Steve Smith's drumming, while always decidedly modern, can best be described as a style that embodies the history of U.S. music. His original love of rudimental parade drumming is evident in his intricate solos. Likewise, his command of jazz, from New Orleans music, swing, bebop, avant-garde to fusion, is applied with his powerful rock drumming sensibilities and allows him to push the boundaries of all styles to new heights. His musical focus is committed to the exploration of improvised music incorporating styles as diverse as Blues, Jazz, R&B, Funk, Cajun and South Indian Carnatic. In 1974 Smith's professional career began in full, at 19 years old, with his tenure in the Lin Biviano Big Band, which he toured and recorded with for the next two years. At that same time he also performed with bebopper Buddy DeFranco and was a member of free-jazz group The Fringe featuring George Garzone. In 1976, Smith began his association with jazz/fusion by joining violinist Jean Luc Ponty’s group and recording the album "Enigmatic Ocean," which also featured guitarist Allan Holdsworth. It was while touring with rocker Ronnie Montrose a year later that Smith was asked to join the popular rock band Journey which brought his playing to the attention of a young rock audience. With Journey, Smith toured around the world and recorded many successful albums including the immensely popular "Escape" (Columbia 1981) and "Frontiers" (Columbia 1983), both of which garnered the band many Top 40 hits. In 1985 Smith left Journey to pursue his original passion, jazz, and to continue his developing career as a session player. Over the past 30+ years, Smith has played on many hits with such diverse artists as Mariah Carey, Bryan Adams, Zucchero, Claudio Baglioni, Andrea Bocelli, Y&T, Dweezil Zappa, Ray Price, Corrado Rustici and Savage Garden. Smith began leading his own fusion band Steve Smith and Vital Information in 1983 while still a member of Journey. Vital Information's release, "Where We Come From," was voted Best Contemporary Jazz Recording Of 1998 by the Association For Independent Music. The band’s 2007 Hudson Music release, “Vitalization,” has gathered critical acclaim around the world. The album features Steve’s interest and abilities with rhythms from India including the South Indian rhythmic vocal art-form: Konnakol. Steve is also the bandleader of Steve Smith’s Jazz Legacy, a group carrying on the tradition of many of the great drummer-led jazz bands; communicating with music lovers of all generations, striving for excellence and playing non-compromising, burning, straight-ahead jazz. In 2008 Jazz Legacy released two albums: “Live On Tour Vol. 1” and “Live On Tour Vol. 2.” Steve also tours with a group that is made of up members of both Vital Information and Jazz Legacy. This band is called Steve Smith’s Vital Legacy and plays the music of both groups. Smith has also maintained an extensive touring and recording career, appearing with many jazz luminaries such as Mike Mainieri's group Steps Ahead. This band, which included virtuosos such as Michael Brecker, Richard Bona and Mike Stern, was one of the most successful of the '80s electric jazz groups and Smith contributed greatly to their tight, energetic sound for seven years (1986-1993 and again from 2005-present). Other high profile jazz touring and/or recording gigs that have filled the drummer's schedule include such artists as Ahmad Jamal, Michael Manring, Stanley Clarke, Randy Brecker, Zakir Hussain, George Brooks’ Summit and the Buddy Rich Big Band, with whom he has performed in many tribute concerts to the late drumming idol. He also rejoined Journey in 1996 to record the reunion album "Trial By Fire" (Columbia 1996). Smith's calendar often includes many drum clinics in which he is able to display his phenomenal techniques and concepts to drumming students around the world. In 1998, Smith began producing and playing on a series of electric jazz albums for the Tone Center label with a revolving cast of talented players including Dave Liebman, Frank Gambale, Stu Hamm, Tom Coster, Larry Coryell, Jerry Goodman, Howard Levy, Steve Marcus, Scott Henderson and Victor Wooten. In 2009 Tone Center release a compilation music called: “The Best Of Steve Smith – The Tone Center Collection.” In 2003 Steve Smith and Buddy's Buddies -- the Buddy Rich alumni quintet -- released two CDs on the Tone Center label that were record live at the famous London jazz club Ronnie Scott's; "Very Live at Ronnie Scott's Set One and Set Two." In 2004 Steve toured with Soulbop, and all-star group featuring Bill Evans, Randy Brecker, David Kikoski, Victor Bailey and Hiram Bullock. In 2005 the group released a live CD entitled “Soulbop Band Live.” Smith’s explosive solos and intricate timekeeping served to gain him much acclaim from sources such as Modern Drummer magazine, whose readers voted him the #1 All-Around Drummer five years in a row. In 2001, Modern Drummer magazine named Steve as one of the "Top 25 Drummer of All Time", in 2002 he was voted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame and in 2003 his Hudson Music DVD "Steve Smith Drumset Technique - History of the U.S. Beat" was voted #1 Educational DVD of 2003. The 2008 and 2009 Drum! magazine readers poll voted Smith #1 Jazz Drummer and in 2009 Drum! readers voted "Steve Smith Drum Legacy - Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants" the #1 educational DVD. As a drummer, Steve Smith has worked for, and with, the best. He is consistently pushing the boundaries of creative drumming and constantly expanding his strong musical voice at the top of the international drumming community. As an educator, Smith is both the eternal student and perpetual teacher of the drums. His highly lauded, recently released educational DVDs, “The Art Of Playing With Brushes” and “Drum Legacy – Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants,” are state of the art showcases of his playing and teaching skills. He is one of the few drummer/bandleaders who continues to bring world-class bands to all corners of the globe with a tireless regime of live performances. Aaron Spears Considered by many to be one of the most passionate yet humble musicians of today, Aaron Spears is now the subject of major attention on the world music circuit. His style is one born from those that inspired him, the likes of Travis Barker, Dave Weckl, Dennis Chambers, Papa Jo Jones, and Stewart Copeland amongst others. Aaron is the quintessential R&B drummer, and his “in the pocket” style of playing and authentic delivery is unparalleled in the world of drummers today. Aaron Spears (originally from Washington DC) was born into a musical family in 1976, with his interest in drums first developing through involvement with the Church. As a result of his Pentecostal upbringing, Aaron has had instilled in him such values as keeping the Lord first in his life, and a strong determination to inspire and encourage other talented drummers. At 23 years of age, Aaron joined a local band in DC called Gideon Band (GB). It was his work with the Gideon Band and the great timing of one of his mentors, Gerald Heyward, which saw him gain the attention of Usher's MD Valdez Brantley. Shortly after meeting Brantley, Aaron joined Usher’s backing band, The Funk Rock Orchestra, whom he has played for ever since. Joining Usher's camp not only awarded Aaron the opportunity to play with some of the greatest musicians on the planet in the form of Juan "Natural" Najera, Arthur Strong, and Valdez Brantley, but gave him the opportunity to tour the world over, also appearing on a special performance with Usher and James Brown during the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. At this stage in his career Aaron began to gain some major attention and found his name being mentioned in the same conversation as some of his heroes and greatest influences. This was also the period in which Aaron's musicality took off to incredible heights. If all that is not enough, Aaron is also a GRAMMY NOMINATED Music Producer, being nominated in 2004 for his work on the USHER album “Confessions”. In 2006, Aaron was nominated #1 up and coming drummer by MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE. Aaron’s long list of touring and recording credits include: Gideon Band, Chrisette Michelle, Chamilionaire, David Cook, Joanne Rosario, Lil Wayne, Carrie Underwood, Usher, Jordin Sparks, Chaka Khan, Adam Lambert, Israel Houghton and most recently, The Backstreet Boys. Dave Weckl For more than 20 years, Dave Weckl has developed and maintained a reputation among fans, peers, and the international music community as one of the great living drummers. For this, he has received numerous accolades and honors; Modern Drummer inducted Dave into their Hall of Fame and named him "one of the 25 best drummers of all time." At age 16, Weckl began to work professionally with local pop and jazz groups. In 1979, he moved to the East coast to study music at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. At just 19 years-of-age, he was getting recognized. While playing the club scene in New York City with a band called Nite Sprite, Weckl started to receive accolades from established studio musicians such as Steve Kahn, Michael Brecker, and especially drumming great Peter Erskine. It was Erskine who recommended Weckl for his first 'big gig' in town with a group called French Toast, forerunner to the Michel Camilo band, which has been recorded quite extensively over the years. From this group, legendary bassist Anthony Jackson recommended Weckl for the prestigious Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour in 1983. After this tour, it was not long before he was regularly being called for radio and TV jingles, sound track sessions, and top recording dates with such artists as George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Diana Ross, and Robert Plant, to name a few. In 1985, Michael Brecker suggested to Chick Corea that he look into Dave's services for his new Elektric Band. That was the beginning of a seven year relationship with both the Elektric and Akoustic Bands, where nine recordings and three videos were produced. The Akoustic Band release earned the group a Grammy. The Elektric Band showcased Weckl’s cutting-edge drumming and innovative use of electronic and acoustic drums, bringing him world-wide recognition. Though the Elektric Band went on a 10-year hiatus in the early '90s, the band is once again touring from time to time. It released a 17-part conceptual album entitled "To The Stars" in mid-2004. As a solo artist, Weckl has recorded and produced nine recordings to date, including GRP/MCA solo releases Masterplan, Heads Up, and Hardwired. In 1998, Weckl realized his long-time goal of forming a world-touring band. To date, the Dave Weckl Band has released five studio records, including: Rhythm Of The Soul, Synergy, Transition, Perpetual Motion, and Multiplicity. The band has also released a hot live album, entitled LIVE (and very plugged in), and a compilation that includes songs and instructional videos, entitled The Zone. When off the road, Weckl keeps busy with session and production work at his home studio in Los Angeles. He also accepts a limited number of private students - and offers classes through the Virtual Drummer School. Additionally, Weckl has many instructional video/DVDs and play-along packages on the market. A constant student of the art of drumming and music, Weckl gives back every chance he gets through clinics and classes all over the world.   Click here to return to the top of the page.

Please use the links, below, to browse information about the camp. Click the "questions!" tab for frequently-asked-questions and contact information.       Steven Orkin Camp Director Steven Orkin is the owner and executive director of Drum Fantasy Camp. He also runs Orkin Marketing Consultants, LLC, a marketing communications firm in Los Angeles, California. Orkin started his working career in 1993 behind the news desk of television stations in Cincinnati and Cleveland. He wrote and co-produced hundreds of stories for broadcast news programs. After two years in television, Orkin accepted a marketing position at MBNA Corporation, then the world's largest independent issuer of credit cards. It was at MBNA where Orkin gained expertise in direct response and customer relationship marketing. After four years with MBNA, accepted an account management position at Wyse Advertising, in Cleveland. He spent the next five years in the ad agency world before starting his own firm. Orkin now manages marketing for several artists. Chris Aleo Equipment Manager Chris Aleo is a drummer based in Hillsborough, New Jersey. Chris created Dave Weckl's official discography. He is a great drummer and jazz fusion historian. Chris manages equipment at Drum Fantasy Camp and can be found roaming the halls and answering questions throughout the event! In his "spare time," Chris is a high school Honors Physics teacher! Nick Aleo Assistant Equipment Manager Nick Aleo is a drummer who helps manage equipment and the Drum Fantasy Camp store. He works tirelessly to fix little problems that come up and really knows his stuff! During the school year, Nick studies at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Paul Kelly Event Coordinator Paul Kelly is a pro drummer based in Grand Junction, Colorado. Paul teaches, performs, and helps coordinate events with drummer Thomas Lang. In addition to chipping in with equipment management, Paul helps coordinate our opening clinic/concert and Jam Nights. William Wolkoff Jam Night MC William Wolkoff is our enthusiastic MC at the three Drum Fantasy Camp Jam Nights. William keeps the jams organized and fun! During the school year, William majors in Electronic Media at the University of Cincinnati.     One of many things that separates Drum Fantasy Camp from any other drum education experience: getting to learn from and play with three top musicians who also happen to be fantastic people! Baron Browne Bass, Vocals Baron Browne is a first-call bassist who has performed with some of world's top jazz and fusion acts. Baro is a regular contributor to Steve Smith and Vital Information, and has also performed and recorded with Billy Cobham, Jean-Luc Ponty, Gary Burton, and Steps Ahead. Drum Fantasy campers are extremely lucky to perform with Baron during Drum Fantasy Camp! Chrissi Poland Vocals, Keyboards Chrissi Poland has been the heart and soul of Drum Fantasy Camp since it started in 2007! A graduate of Berklee with a four-octave range, Chrissi is the energetic leader of our Jam Nights and opening concerts. A composer and recording artist in her own right, Chrissi has toured/recorded with artists including Moby, Scissor Sisters and Sam Moore. Chrissi is a true pro who challenges Drum Fantasy Camp attendees to play with confidence, passion, and solid musical sensibilities. Vinny Valentino Guitar, Vocals Vinny Valentino is a world-class guitarist and educator. He is best-known for his work with the legendary George Benson and Steve Smith's fusion band Vital Information. Vinny is a "musician's musician." He plays "in the pocket" and chooses his notes carefully. He's a writer, arranger, and performer of the highest order. He is also a great teacher - helping drummers understand how to be more musical. Vinny's company, "Play Along Jazz," produces play along tracks for musicians of every background and playing level.   Interested in getting your product in front of our campers and concert attendees? Click here to learn about camp sponsorships!