Every Saturday. Real drumline. Free.
The BK Steppers Drumline Academy is the entry point to a 37-year cultural institution rooted in HBCU show-style and drum corps marching arts. Meets every Saturday at PS 139 in Brooklyn. Open to ages 6–24. No experience required. No audition. No cost.
A real drumline program. Every Saturday. In your neighborhood.
The BK Steppers Drumline Academy is where young people in Brooklyn come to learn marching percussion — the tradition of HBCU show-style and drum corps drumming that BK Steppers has stewarded for 37 years.
Students who walk in on their first Saturday might have never touched a drum before. Students who’ve been coming for years earn spots in the BK Steppers Drumline and go on to perform publicly. The Academy is the front door to a pathway that has produced professional performers, HBCU marching band leaders, touring musicians, and orchestral artists.
Every Saturday, at PS 139 in Brooklyn. Free. Open enrollment. No audition. Show up ready to learn.
The fundamentals. Done right.
Every Saturday session builds toward marching percussion excellence. The curriculum is structured to meet students where they are and move them forward.
Every Saturday, October through June.
The Academy runs weekly through the school year, with breaks aligned to major school holidays. Specific dates for the current season are pending school confirmation — registered families are notified once they’re set.
October–June
Brooklyn, NY 11226
Accessible by MTA subway (Q train to Beverly Road) and bus.
The Academy is where the pathway starts.
Enrolling in the BK Steppers Drumline Academy isn’t just signing up for a Saturday program. It’s stepping onto a pathway that has taken students from their first practice pad to some of the biggest stages in professional performance.
Questions parents ask.
Yes. There is no tuition or program fee to enroll in the BK Steppers Drumline Academy. The program is offered free of charge to make marching percussion accessible to young people from every background.
The program is supported by donors, foundations, and program partners — which is what allows it to be free for families.
Yes. The Academy is open to complete beginners. There is no audition, no experience required, and no assumption that students have any prior music background.
The curriculum is designed to meet students where they are. A student who has never touched a drum is welcomed the same as a student who’s been playing for years — they’ll each be working on the right things for their level.
Ages 6 to 24. The Academy welcomes children as young as 6 who are ready to sit and focus, and young adults up to age 24 who want to keep developing.
Sessions are structured so students of different ages and levels can work together productively — like a real drumline.
No. All instruments and equipment are provided at PS 139. Your child needs to show up ready to learn — the rest is on us.
If your child develops an interest in practicing at home, we can advise on affordable practice pads and stick options.
Session length and specific rehearsal times are confirmed at registration and communicated to enrolled families. Session times are set to work within a typical family Saturday schedule.
Yes. Academy students perform at community events, school events, and public showcases throughout the year. Public performance is part of the program — not an optional extra.
Students who progress can earn spots in the BK Steppers Drumline, our flagship youth performing ensemble, which performs at higher-profile venues.
Yes. All BK Steppers teaching artists complete background checks and fingerprinting per standard youth-serving organization requirements before working with students.
BK Steppers also maintains a Youth Protection Policy and Safe Space Policy governing conduct expectations across every program.
Families are welcome to reach out with questions before registering. Send a note to [email protected] and we’ll walk you through how to attend a session before enrolling.
Enroll your child in the Drumline Academy.
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Once you submit, we’ll follow up within two business days with next steps. Rehearsal dates for the current season are pending school confirmation — registered families are notified as soon as they’re set.
Registering multiple children? Submit one form per child.
The Academy is free because donors keep it that way.
Every child who enrolls does so at no cost to their family. That’s possible because supporters believe every young person in Brooklyn deserves access to marching percussion excellence. If you’re able to help sustain the tradition, we’d be grateful.
Support the Academy →