Keelan Tobia

Keelan Tobia

Keelan Tobia

Disneyland / Clinician

Keelan Tobia

Disneyland / Clinician

Country:   United States Category:   MARCHING ARTISTS

Overview

Hailing from Modesto, California, Keelan Tobia has made a name for himself as a multi-faceted drummer and performer. From 2009-2012, Keelan honed his virtuosity on the marching snare drum as a member of the Blue Devils Drum & Bugle Corps, where he earned a total of three gold medals in Drum Corps International's World Class I&E snare solo (2011, 2012) and percussion ensemble (2012) competitions. Additionally, he garnered three undefeated DCI World Championships and contributed to the corps' 11th (2009, BD’s first undefeated drum title) and 12th (2012) drum titles.

 

He then took the marching snare drum to new avenues – performing with artists such as Kanye West, BTS, Migos, Pharrell, 2Chainz, The San Francisco Symphony, among others. On the drum set, Keelan has backed musicians such as Ernie Bucio, Mic Gillette (Tower of Power), Jon Faddis (Lionel Hampton’s Big Band, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Dizzy's United Nation Orchestra), Tony-winning actress, Carol Channing (GRAMMY Hall of Fame recipient, Hello, Dolly!) and more.

 

Keelan currently drums at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. He aims to inspire younger drummers as a snare drum clinician, and by cultivating sounds from his marching percussion and drum set background.

 

Keelan proudly endorses Vic Firth drumsticks, Zildjian cymbals, Prologix Percussion practice pads, and Pearl/Adams percussion.

 

All photos were taken by Nathan Ninomiya.

  • twitter

Keelan's Gear

Pearl Snare Drums

14" x 12" CarbonCore FFX Marching Snare, #408 Pewter Glass Finish

14” x 6.5” Reference, Rootbeer Fade Finish

14” x 6.5” SensiTone Maple, Maple/Natural Finish

 

Drum Set

Pearl Reference, Nicotine White Marine Pearl

20” x 16” Music City Custom Reference Bass Drum w/o Tom Mount

10” x 7” Music City Custom Reference Tom

12” x 8” Music City Custom Reference Tom

16” x 16” Music City Custom Reference Floor Tom

 

Pearl Hardware

PMBDL3 Multi-Fit Bass Drum Legs, Chrome

1030 Series Boom Cymbal Stands

930 Series Boom Cymbal Stands

S1030 Snare Stand

S930 Snare Stand

H2050 Eliminator Redline Hi-Hat Stand

CLH930 Closed Hi-Hat w/ Boom

MH50 Level Bar for Snare Drum Sling Carrier