About Christian
Bio
Based out of Orlando, Florida, Christian Snedeker is a Professional Percussionist, Drummer, Producer, Recording Artist, and Music Educator. Christian’s experience and training is very diverse, including orchestral percussion, drumset, chamber music, and world music. He has quickly established himself in the Florida music scene and has been described by his teachers as “having unlimited potential in the music industry”. Christian grew up in Bonita Springs, Florida, and fell in love with music at an early age. Having an entirely musical family put him in the creative environment quickly, and he started taking lessons at age 9.
He started playing publicly and professionally very early on, and in high school was chosen to be a drummer in the Naples Philharmonic Youth Jazz Orchestra, run by jazz luminaries Dan Miller (Harry Connick Jr. Big Band, Woody Herman Big Band) and Lew Delgatto (SNL, Frank Sinatra, Rolling Stones). Christian also saw great success in youth solo competitions, winning scholarships from 2016-2019 from the Music Foundation of Greater Naples. In 2023, he was selected as a Yamaha Young Performing Artist and the winner of the Jazz/Contemporary Drumset category, a prestigious national award recognizing some of the best up and coming musicians in the country.
Education
Christian set his sights on Orlando for his collegiate career and earned his degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Central Florida. While at UCF, he won 6 out of 8 Principal Percussion Auditions; won the School of Performing Arts Performance Excellence award his freshman year and was a finalist his sophomore year; won the Director's Award and performed with nearly every ensemble on campus, from Symphony Orchestras, to Jazz Combos, to World Music Groups. While at UCF, Christian studied with Dr. Thad Anderson, Kirk Gay, & Jeff Moore, and received additional Jazz Instruction from Clarence Penn, Jason Marsalis, and Richard Drexler. Christian is also grateful to have studied with Lori Lyons, Jim Dallas, John Evans, Dan Miller, Joe McCarthy, and Brian Jordan.
Experience
Christian is a regularly booked percussionist in Florida. He performs in various shows at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, and is active as a jazz freelancer with his group, the 239 Collective. Christian is an active performer in the musical theater circuit as well, having played drums and percussion for theater companies such as New Generation Theatrical, The Renaissance Theater Company, Theater West End, and TheaterUCF among others. Christian also subs in with professional orchestras across the state, including the Bach Festival Orchestra, The Brevard Symphony, and The Villages Philharmonic. Christian is honored to have shared the stage with notable artists including Joey Fatone, Grace Kelly, Michael Cavanaugh, Chuck Findley, and Jodi Benson. Since 2022, Christian has proudly endorsed Constantine Cymbals.
Looking towards the future
Christian is active in education as well, having given clinics, taught privately, and taught in the public school system. He is currently a Percussion Instructor at Dr. Phillips High School and was a Percussion Instructor and Battery Arranger at Horizon High School in Winter Garden, FL where he taught the Sound of Horizon Drumline from 2022-2024. Christian is also a Producer for Encore! Performing Arts; a non-profit organization that produces high quality concerts, and youth programs, and has given over $300k to charity since it's conception in 2002. No matter where he is, Christian is dedicated to bringing the highest level of professionalism and passion to the music, and to raising up his fellow artists. Christian is a huge beach lover and loves living an active life. His other interests include athletics, surfing, water sports, and spending time with his friends and loved ones (including his dogs!).