Robert Shipley

Robert Shipley is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Hope College, a tenure-track position accepted July 1, 2021. A renowned professional drummer, he has performed with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Natalie Cole, Diana Ross, and The Temptations across major venues including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.

His educational background includes:

• Master of Music in jazz theory and composition from University of Nevada Las Vegas (2021)
• Bachelor of Music in jazz performance emphasis from University of Nevada Las Vegas (2018)
• American Conservatory of Music, Chicago (1978–1979)
• Kentucky State University (1977–1978)

Shipley's research centers on jazz pedagogy and commercial drumming techniques, documented in his method book The Art of Commercial Drumming. He founded the Rising Artist Series to connect high school jazz musicians with Hope College's Jazz Arts Collective Program, demonstrating his commitment to music education across jazz, R&B, Latin, and pop genres.

He secured a research grant through the Nyenhuis Program for summer 2022 to support his work in performance education. Shipley also teaches community drum lessons at Winchester Community Center sponsored by The House of Blues Foundation, DW Drums, and Sabian Cymbals.