Steven is an East Tennessee native from Knoxville, TN. He was most recently the assistant band director at South-Doyle Middle and High Schools in Knoxville, TN. Previous to that, he was the percussion director for Farragut High School. Mr. Rodgers graduated from the University of Tennessee as Outstanding Senior in Music Performance in 2006, and went back and received his teaching certification in 2009. While at UT, he was a performing member of the Wind Ensemble (including their performance in Carnegie Hall), the Pride of the Southland Marching Band, Symphony Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble (including two performances at the Percussion Arts Society International Convention), and numerous jazz ensembles. He toured the United States and Europe as a member of the World Class Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps from Toledo, OH in the Drum Corps International 2001-4 seasons, and instructing and presenting clinics during the '05 and '06 seasons. 

Steve had the pleasure of working with the Spirit of Atlanta in the 2011 summer as well as the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Steve is very excited to be working with Chattanooga Independent. Mr. Rodgers has studied and/or taught with Keith Brown, Mark Douglass, F. Michael Combs, Iain Moyer, Colin McNutt, Omar Carmenates, Chad Heiny, Chris Hestin and Mark Ford.

Mr. Rodgers is a regular performer with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, and has played numerous times with the Knoxville Wind Symphony, the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. As a member of ETSBO&A, PAS, MENC, and TMEA, he is active in teaching and adjudicating scholastic music ensembles in marching, winterguard, and solo and ensemble settings. He also arranges and composes for various marching bands, indoor drumlines and small ensembles across East Tennessee and the United States. In addition to teaching and playing "legit" music, Steve has also played and recorded with his psychedelic-rock/indie pop band Senryu, touring the US and playing festivals such as After the Jumpfest, Hottfest, and South by Southwest. When not making music, he is an advocate for public school education policy. Mr. Rodgers graciously endorses Innovative Percussion products.