2026 Instructors (so far!) Keith Carlock Keith Carlock is one of the most in-demand drummers of the past 25 years.  In addition to countless sessions with artists in every genre, he has recorded/toured with Toto, Wayne Krantz, Steely Dan, James Taylor, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker, Tal Wilkenfeld, John Mayer, Sting, Chris Botti, and Christopher Cross. In Modern Drummer's 2009 Readers Poll, he was voted best Pop, Fusion, and All-Around drummer. He is a member of the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame. Carlock was born in Clinton, Mississippi, and attended The University of North Texas. His style is completely unique - fusing his Southern roots with contemporary jazz and funk. He is amazingly versatile while being completely authentic. Keith is also an amazing clinician/teacher. In addition to teaching at Drum Fantasy Camp (2012/2026), plus clinics/festivals worldwide, Carlock released an instructional DVD called The Big Picture: Phrasing, Improvisation, Style, and Technique (2009). Carlock met and began playing with Steely Dan in the late 1990s, starring on their album Two Against Nature, released in 2000, and then Everything Must Go, released in 2003. Carlock has been touring with them since 2003, continuing to do so despite Walter Becker's death in 2017. In January 2014, Carlock joined Toto, replacing longtime drummer Simon Phillips. He played on every track of the album Toto XIV and toured with them in April–May 2014. Carlock toured with Christopher Cross in 2023. Steve Smith Steve Smith is a modern icon of drumming. His work with Journey is known by multiple generations of rock fans and got him elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As a jazz artist, he has driven iconic groups Steps Ahead, The Mike Stern Band, Zakir Hussain's Masters of Percussion, Hiromi's Trio Project, and many more. His own group, Vital Information, has showcased Smith's wide drumming vernacular for more than 40 years. Rounded out by his legendary teaching chops, it's no wonder than Modern Drummer inducted him into their Hall of Fame and named him "one of the 25 best drummers of all time." Smith studied music at the Berklee College of Music from 1972 to 1976 with Alan Dawson and Gary Chaffee as his private instructors. Over the past 45 years he has toured and recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and rock - appearing on recordings that have sold over 100 million copies worldwide - including Journey, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, Zucchero and Jean-Luc Ponty. Other notable jazz artists Smith has played with include Zakir Hussain, Buddy DeFranco, Benny Golson, Ahmad Jamal, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Bill Evans and Hiromi. Steve Smith was voted “#1 Fusion Drummer” in the 2012 Modern Drummer readers poll. Smith has previously been voted “#1 All-Around Drummer" in the Modern Drummer Magazine Readers Poll for five consecutive years from 1987-1991. The 2008, 2009 and 2010 Drum! Magazine readers voted Smith #1 Jazz Drummer. In 2001 Steve was named by Modern Drummer Magazine as one of the “Top 25 Drummers 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.” Hudson Music released Steve’s DVD/CD Drum Legacy – Standing on the Shoulders of Giants in 2008, which was voted Best DVD of 2009 by the readers of Drum! Magazine. In 2017 Steve topped an unprecedented three categories in the Modern Drummer poll: #1 Rock Drummer, #1 MVP and #1 Educational Product for his Hudson Music Book/Video Pathways Of Motion. In 2018 MD readers voted Smith #1 Classic Rock Drummer. In 2022 Modern Drummer Magazine published a book that includes all five of Steve's MD cover stories, a new interview, exclusive photos and a download of Smith's solo drumset recording, The Fabric Of Rhythm. Dave Weckl An absolutely iconic player, Dave Weckl has developed and maintained a reputation among fans, peers, and the international music community, as one of the great living drummers. His contributions to iconic music, music education, and the gear that drummers use, are many. Modern Drummer magazine has inducted Weckl into their Hall of Fame (2000) and named him "one of the 25 best drummers of all time." These honors, in addition to many more bestowed by the music community, are the product of Weckl's commitment to excellence. His dynamic and diverse drumming, which has inspired musicians worldwide, is built on a foundation of knowledge and passion. Weckl is best known for his work with legendary pianist/keyboardist Chick Corea. But Weckl has released several iconic albums under his own name and the Dave Weckl Band. Over the years, he has also played with dozens of pop and jazz icons. This includes the 1983 Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour, plus albums and live dates with George Benson, Robert Plant, Diana Ross and more. He also boasts long tenures with icons Mike Stern, Michel Camilo, The Brecker Brothers, Lee Ritenour, Oz Noy and many more. From this group, Jackson recommended Weckl for the prestigious 1983 Simon and Garfunkel reunion tour. This got Weckl noticed by a much larger industry audience and lead to many session opportunities, including radio and TV jingles, sound track sessions, and top recording dates with George Benson, Peabo Bryson, Diana Ross, Robert Plant, and many more. Instructional videos have always played a big role in Weckl's career. His original product, entitled Contemporary Drummer + 1, was one of the first play-along products ever published for drums. His Back To Basics and The Next Step releases were best-sellers in the '90s and also continue to sell today. Weckl updated his technical approach in the '90s after studying with Freddie Gruber. He then released a three-part series of videos called A Natural Evolution, which included an appearance by Gruber. These products redefined earlier concepts to help drummers understand how to play in a relaxed, efficient, and musical way. They also helped solidified Weckl's stature as an articulate and respected teacher. In 2017, Weckl started The Dave Weckl Online School, which has reached thousands of drummers with more than 70 hrs. of content. Weckl's clinics and master classes continue to attract capacity crowds worldwide. More Information         The Band Hagar Ben Ari Bass Guitar Hagar Ben Ari is well known as the versatile bassist on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Her versatility comes from a foundation of education and deep industry experience. Hagar has studied classical composition and toured the world as a rock musician. She has performed with dozens of acts in New York and has toured with Moby and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. She supported Grace Potter while opening for The Rolling Stones and Prince, and she has performed in Kinky Boots on Broadway. We are excited to to have Hagar back for her fourth year at Drum Fantasy Camp!   Stu Mindeman Keys Stuart Mindeman is a versatile pianist/keyboardist skilled in various styles of music including Jazz, Pop, R&B, Classical, Salsa/Latin music, Gospel, and more. He has shared the stage with such names as Dave Weckl, Tom Kennedy, Fareed Haque, Gloria Estefan, Rodney Whitaker, Claudio Roditi, John Clayton, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, and many others. He is also active in Chicago’s Theater community, musically directing for The Second City, among others. In addition to performing, Stuart maintains a private studio, and is on faculty at the Chicago Academy for the Arts. We're grateful to have this amazing talent at our concerts and jams!   Chrissi Poland Vocals, Keyboards Acclaimed vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Chrissi Poland been with Drum Fantasy Camp since we started in 2007! Known by drummers for her performance on Dave Weckl's "Higher Ground" remake, Chrissi has toured throughout the world and has performed on stage, television, and in the studio with a long list of artists and legends including: Hozier, Lady Gaga, Bette Midler, Nile Rodgers, Mavis Staples, Chaka Khan, Michael Bolton, Sting, Moby, Scissor Sisters, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Toto, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald, Dave Matthews, and the legendary Stax "Soul Man" Sam Moore (formerly of Sam & Dave). Known for her electrifying and captivating live performances, Chrissi has taken the stage at some of the most iconic venues in the world, including The Hollywood Bowl, The Acropolis, Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage, Madison Square Garden and The Beacon Theatre in New York just to name a few.   Vinny Valentino Music Director 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 has conducted music workshops all over the world. Vinny's company, "Play Along Jazz," produces play along tracks for musicians of every background and playing level. At Drum Fantasy Camp, Vinny pulls together all the music for our concerts and Jam Nights. He's the musical vision of the camp and holds everything together during the concerts and jams. He also runs our Groove Class! You can learn a lot from Vinny.   The Staff   Steven Orkin Owner / Camp Director Steven Orkin is the owner and director of Drum Fantasy Camp. He also runs Orkin Marketing and Management, an entertainment marketing firm in Los Angeles, California. Steven spent ten years in corporate marketing and the ad agency world before starting his firm. Over the years, he has worked with Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Simon Phillilps, Mike Stern, Frank Gambale, Mark Guiliana, John Daversa, and many more. Steven started Drum Fantasy Camp in 2007 and has organized dozens of other in-person and online clinics and master classes with the world's top musicians. He's completely accessible at Drum Fantasy Camp and enjoys discussing the biz with attendees. He also enjoys staying in touch with attendees and hearing about their progress after the camp!