Steven Barnard

Steven Barnard was born in Nottingham and began playing the drums at the age of four. At 17, he was awarded a place at the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with the legendary James Blades and Nicholas Cole.

In 1979 at the age of 21, Steven was appointed Principal Timpanist with the BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestra (now the BBC National Orchestra of Wales) and is currently one of the longest serving and most experienced timpanists in the UK. As well as playing in many of the world’s great concert halls, he has been involved with the orchestra’s outreach activities and received a Professional Diploma Award in recognition of this work.

Steven was appointed Percussion Co-ordinator at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2005, managing a very talented and enthusiastic percussion department. He regularly gives masterclasses, and in 2008 was invited to be the guest speaker at the National Association of Percussion Teachers’ annual conference.

Steven is also a founder member of the jazz quintet NOT NOW in which he plays drums alongside other members of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.