Rich Stitzel is a third-generation professional musician and educator. His father plays trumpet and was the director of jazz studies at a college in Fort Worth. His mother plays woodwinds and was head of instrumental music at a boarding school in St. Louis. His grandfather was the founder and executive director of The International Association of Jazz Educators.Rich began studying drums in the seventh grade. He studied with many great teachers, including Rick Rogers, Preston Thomas, Rich MacDonald, Randy Drake, Kevin Gianino, Craig Williams, Mike Drake, and Ed Soph. He attended the University of North Texas and played in The Jazz Singers, The Zebras, the African Ensemble, and the 2 O’Clock.Rich has toured the US extensively as a performer and played shows in Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Sinai, Mexico, Canada, and Panama. He has played with Grammy winners, platinum sellers, and countless artists spanning many genres of music in his 30+ year career.Rich has given drum set & percussion masterclasses, rhythm section clinics, taught small group, big band jazz, and rock camps all over the country. In addition, he has students from over 50 countries worldwide studying his books and online courses. Rich also visits Chicago public schools to expose kids to classical and jazz music as an artist in residence for an organization called The Ravinia Festival. 
As an author, Rich has written five books:1. Directions in Drumming, 1985 (out of print)2. The Foundational Series, 2016 (ISBN-13: 979-8688500516)3. The Primary Series, 2017 (ISBN-13: 979-8688503791)4. 100-Day Journal and Practice Log, 2020 (ISBN-13: 979-8586944535)5. Groove Studies with the 20th Note, 2022 (ISBN-13: 979-8360643753)6. Coordination Matrix w/the 20th Note, 2023, ISBN-13: 979-8377116394
As a presenter, Rich created The DrumMantra Podcast to advance the listener's confidence, insight, and inspiration through discussions on approaches to practice, rhythmic concepts, technique, theory, creativity, gear, and the music business. 
Rich has an online education platform at DrumMantra.com, where he works with students worldwide on his curriculum for the drumset. Rich currently resides and works in Chicago, IL, USA. He does corporate and session work. He is the primary drummer in the Beatmix Music organization, and plays percussion with Americana/Jazz ensemble, The Unknown New.Rich is a proud artist and endorser for the following companies:Evans Drumheads, Hudson Music, Humes & Berg, Low Boy Beaters, Moravian Percussion (The Boxkit), Polynome App., Prologix Percussion, Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Yamaha Drums.Read more about this authorRead less about this author