About Steve

Steve Pope is a Melbourne-based drummer with over 25 years of professional experience spanning live touring, musical theatre, recording sessions, and education.

Steve began playing drums professionally in the mid-nineties and graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in 2001. Shortly after, he began a long professional association with Kate Miller-Heidke, touring and recording with her for seven years. Highlights include performing at the 2007 ARIA Awards and extensive touring throughout Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Asia.

His musical theatre credits are extensive. He was part of the premiere season of Muriel's Wedding the Musical, and returned for the national tour that visited Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. He has also played drums for Evita the Musical at Arts Centre Melbourne — a production starring Tina Arena as Eva Perón — and Bananaland the Musical at the 2023 Brisbane Festival and Sydney Festival.

In addition to high-profile touring and theatre work, Steve has built a strong reputation as a session drummer, recording and performing with a diverse range of artists including Angus & Julia Stone, Darren Hayes, Serena Ryder, Transport, Francesca de Valence, and A Family of Strangers.

Steve currently performs live with Melbourne artists Jacqui Lumsden and Vicious Blonde, while maintaining an active teaching practice at Fall Back Studios, Flemington.

“Steve Pope is a complete drum educator. His experience and knowledge of styles, technique and groove is extensive… he works to the needs of each student, helping them develop their sound.”

Teaching

Steve has been teaching drum kit for over 25 years, working with students of all ages and abilities across a wide range of musical genres. His approach is focused on technique and body mechanics as applied to the drum kit — building a solid physical foundation that serves students across any style they choose to pursue.

He currently teaches from his private studio at Fall Back Studios in Flemington, Melbourne, and is also available for online lessons via Zoom for students worldwide.