Steve Kirkman is the Principal Timpanist of The Long Bay Symphony. He received his BM and MM Degrees from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where he was a student of Massie Johnson. Other teachers include John Federson, Larry Spivak, Chris Deane, and Carol Stumpf.
As a Timpanist, he has performed with many area orchestras, including Charleston, Wilmington, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Charlotte, and North Carolina Symphonies. As a percussionist and set drummer he has toured with the Dallas Brass, Gianinni Brass, and the New Century Saxophone Quartet, with whom he recorded Main Street USA on Channel Classics Records.
As a drummer Steve has backed many artists including Glenn Campbell, Ray Charles, Shirley Caesar, and Joe Williams. Steve played for the European Broadway Tours of West Side Story and Fame, playing on the European Cast Recording. He is a former head of Percussion at Coastal Carolina University, Limestone College, Greensboro College, and Winston-Salem State University.
Since moving to Myrtle Beach he has played in many of the theaters performing with The Gatlin Brothers, Crook and Chase, and The Alabama Theater Show. In 2001, he started the String Orchestra Programs at North Myrtle Beach Middle and High Schools and continues to teach at the Middle School Orchestra.
He lives in Myrtle Beach with his wife Anne, and their two daughters, Cecilia and Josephine.