The Sounds of NYU Steel directed by Dr. Kendall K. Williams

In Pictures

New York, USA - Before the scorching hot days of summer, was the cool and inviting springtime which was the backdrop for NYU (New York University) Steel’s annual spring music presentation. Just as spring signaled newness, there was much that was new this year for this specific steel orchestra in concert. The state-of-the-art Iris Cantor Theatre at NYU’s John A. Paulson Center was the new venue for the performance on this evening. And Dr. Kendall K. Williams now helms the program as its new director; he is also an NYU alumnus.

This year’s concert was a total success on every level. The student musicians and percussionists can be extremely proud, about what they were able to accomplish and present to all the concert attendees in a relatively short time. For the event Dr. Williams wore multiple hats - host for the evening, arranger, musician, and of course that of NYU Steel program director. With an appropriate opening piece, the audience was greeted with NYU Steel’s delivery of Kes The Band’s popular soca Hello. Student Jacky Xu arranged and introduced the second selection on the show’s programme, the late Michael Jackson’s Liberian Girl.

The next number introduced Daron Roberts on tenor pan; he was the show’s featured guest artist and drummer for several of the program’s performances, and is himself also an accomplished steelpan musician. Roberts’ own musical start was at a tender age—two—and his bio notes that he is “a multi-faceted percussionist, composer, educator, and performer” with a Master’s Degree in Individualized Specialization – Steelpan – from Northern Illinois University (NIU). And when it was time for NYU Steel’s third program item—the Liam Teague-arrangement of Fuego contra Fuego, Roberts joined the ensemble and Jacky Xu also delivered a solo. At one point during the show Xu himself also took over drumming duties.

This year’s steelpan assistant and first year Master’s student Kyle Roemer was next in the spotlight. He was thrilled for the opportunity to perform a solo piece, Life’s Essence, composed by his friend Sam Riddick. Roemer subsequently took the audience on an emotional but skilled journey on tenor. 

The members of NYU Steel rotated through its family of steelpan instruments for the evening’s various selections. The diverse group comprising the orchestra for this concert included about five first-time students of steelpan, music technology students, one math major as well as percussion studies majors.

Of particular note - for years since its inception, NYU Steel participation was a mandatory class requirement for all percussion majors. This aspect directly made NYU Steel unique compared to any other university steel orchestra in the United States, perhaps even the world. Indeed, the student of the percussive arts developed under this format is special. Part of the ‘newness’ going forward, is this mandate is no long in effect, and this change in policy could result in a significantly reduced NYU Steel roster in each semester going forward. In fact, NYU Steel’s numbers on this night might already be such a reflection. But the audience in attendance was still in for a fantastic musical surprise. And with Professor Jonathan Haas, director of the prestigious NYU Steinhardt Percussion Program, and visionary and founder of the NYU Steel initiative, in the audience - NYU Steel would still manage to deliver a command performance.

Back to the musical component: After Kyle Roemer’s performance the skill set of featured guest Daron Roberts took center stage once more, this time as both arranger for selection Inch Worm and soloist within the steel orchestra. Next up was a duet by Roberts and Dr. Kendall K. Williams on double seconds who joined him in a dynamic music spotlight of Pan By Storm.

A quick sharing on the overall concept of the steelpan instrument followed when Williams showed off a tenor, beginning by explaining that the various raised areas on the inner surface of a pan constituted notes of the instrument. He built on the educational presentation until the representative voices of the family of steelpan instruments currently featured in the NYU ensemble, had been showcased to the audience on hand.

Williams’ first year as a graduate student at NYU was in 2010; his initial experience as a member of NYU Steel in concert included then-featured guest - NIU’s world-renowned steelpan performing artist and educator Professor Liam Teague. Two selections in the line-up were Fuego contra Fuego arranged by Teague, and Chant, Teague’s original composition. Williams included both selections in this 2025 Spring showcase from NYU Steel which he himself now heads for the first time as the orchestra’s music director; indeed, a full-circle moment. In another first, he was joined onstage periodically by his twelve-year-old daughter Madison as she played the percussive instrument called the cow bell in NYU Steel’s ‘engine room.’

NYU panist Kelsey Choi took on the signature opening solo in Chant, with Kyle Roemer and Daron Roberts also highlighting their respective parts, ably accompanied by NYU Steel. Roberts gave his take on the drum solo, then Roemer exuded his passion for pan once more in his solo slot. All three elicited cheers and applause from event-goers as they completed their turns when spotlit.

Rainbow Road, the band’s penultimate song also featured Roemer’s arrangement, with both Brynna Gritter Kenneke and Keith Thomas soloing. Daron Roberts’ original composition Fruit Punch - a world premiere performance - was the curtain-closer for the concert.

The crowd in the auditorium was quite pleased with NYU Steel’s performances. This was clear throughout the evening. It was also apparent there were still some who were hearing steelband music in this format for the first time. And moreover, their enthusiastic approval was audible. At the end of the show, audience members came forward, interacting with the steelpan musicians.

The concert was free and open to the public, with tickets available online only. Before the show eager would-be attendees tried to obtain tickets, but were faced with a notification declaring the show sold out. One such individual even contacted When Steel Talks in disappointment saying they got that ‘sold out’ notice. However, while the show was well-attended the venue clearly had a significant number of seats still available. This occurrence was a disappointment to several lovers and supporters of the music art form who wished to see the show live, but due to the notification could not acquire tickets, and as such understandably did not venture to the venue - which, as it turns out, was clearly not at capacity, and not ‘sold out,’ and was welcoming walk-ins.

For Dr. Kendall K. Williams, he dons an additional customary hat for the summer season in New York - that of leader and arranger of music organization Pan In Motion. For the better part of August, the ranks of the Pan In Motion steel orchestra swells to as many as seventy-five steelpan musicians who devote hours in the evening and nighttime hours to practice for New York’s annual steelband music Panorama held at the grounds in the rear of the Brooklyn Museum. Over the years some members of NYU Steel eagerly look forward to this time for even further fun, and to develop additional expertise in the steelband art form while reveling in Caribbean culture.

NYU STEEL

Kelsey Choi
Brynna Gritter Kenneke
Katie Leonard
Kyle Roemer
Leon Sleator
Anastasia Theodoropoulos
Keith Thomas
Jacky Xu
Ganling Zhou
Michelle Zhu

In Pictures...

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Bios

Dr. Kendall K. Williams:  Having been born around the Trinidadian culture, Dr. Kendall Williams has adopted the country’s national instrument, the steel pan. From as early as the age of four, Kendall made efforts to mimic his parents as they displayed their talents in a Miami-based steel band. It wasn’t long before his efforts turned into a reality as he developed his skills and passion for the instrument. As he got older his passion brought out a connection to music, and he was able to perform with large, world-renowned steel bands in Trinidad and Tobago as well as bands in the New York-based scene for years and counting. He took things a step further when he graduated from Florida Memorial University with a BA in Music under the direction of Dr. Dawn Batson, with his main instrument being the steel pan. He continued to further his studies at NYU Steinhardt, where he pursued a Master of Music Degree in Music Theory & Composition, studying with Julia Wolfe, Michael Gordon, and Rich Shemaria. There he also actively participated in the NYU Steel band under the leadership of Artist Faculty member Josh Quillen.

As he moved closer to graduating, his goals included composing and arranging music that could further showcase the steel pan for the virtuous instrument that it is, while bringing his unique style to more conventional instruments. Now that he has graduated, he aggressively pursues a career as a composer, arranger, educator, and advocate for the steel pan instrument. He works to open people’s minds to the possibilities steel pan can offer the world by showing that the instrument is far more versatile that it may seem. In 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2020 he had music for steel pan and contemporary ensemble programmed on the Bang on a Can Marathon. Just before that, he was awarded the opportunity to work with the Brooklyn Philharmonic on a project that involved steel pan and contemporary music compositions. In 2014 he was the Van Lier Fellow with the American Composers Orchestra. He received his doctorate from Princeton University in 2023 after studying under the auspices of Dan Trueman, Steve Mackey, Dmitri Tymockzo, and So Percussion. In his most recent years, he has been actively lecturing and leading workshops at various colleges, universities, and grade schools across the United States, while he completes his dissertation. Presently, his goals include establishing steel pan music programs in colleges and universities that will allow musicians to major in steel pan. While pursuing that, he also sits at CEO of Pan in Motion, an organization that he started to promote history, education, and sustainability in steel pan. To learn more, keep up at kendallkwilliams.com

Daron Roberts: Daron Roberts M.M. is a multi-faceted percussionist, composer, educator, and performer, currently based in Norfolk, Virginia where he serves as the Rhythm Project Associate Director. He earned his Master’s Degree in Individualized Specialization — Steelpan from Northern Illinois University and his Bachelors in Music Performance — Percussion from the University of Southern Mississippi with a minor in Recording Industry.

Born and raised in the beautiful Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago, this music prodigy found his rhythm for music as a toddler and began performing by the tender age of two. By age five, he began regularly playing the drum set for his local church, and with a prominent youth Steelband called Golden Hands Steel Orchestra. As a teenager, Daron was the youngest in his country to earn the Trinity Guildhall ATCL Diploma Certificate in Drum Kit Recital, along with awards such as the National Youth Award of Trinidad & Tobago for Music, and various titles in the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, namely, Most Outstanding Junior Solo Instrumental Performer, Most Outstanding Junior Steelpan Performer, and Leisure Players Instrumental Solo Improvisation on Steelpan.

Daron has participated in several live and studio recordings where he can be heard on steel pan, drum set, and auxiliary percussion. Albums such as “Pure Gold” and “Under the Sapodilla Tree” by Golden Hands Steel Orchestra, “Music Over Me” by gospel-jazz vocalist - Kezie Peters, “Scatterbrain” by funk-fusion band - Friends Fly South, and “F.A.B. 105” by Daron’s Latin-jazz trio - LAC Connection. In addition to these recordings, he has had the privilege to share the stage with world class musicians such as Liam Teague, Andy Narell, Victor Provost, Richie Gajaté Garcia, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Dan Hearle, Bill Summers, and Raf Robertson, just to name a few.

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