Robi Parolin

Robi Parolin began playing drums at age 8. Shortly after he began taking formal lessons from local teachers, showing a very musical aptitude for the instrument, he performed throughout his secondary schooling years in all concert bands, rock bands as well as musicals. Lessons continued until he was 16 and at the age of 18, began lessons with Frank Corniola. This would prove to be a major turning point. For the next 4 -5 years lessons continued with Frank (Now known throughout the world for THE ULTIMATE DRUMMERS WEEKEND and the DRUMSCENE magazine). During this time Robi quickly established himself in Melbourne's thriving music scene playing along some of the countries finest and performing in any number of situations from small intimate jazz gigs to backing shows.

In 1991, he auditioned for the prestigious, VICTORIAN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS (Melbourne University), and commenced a three-year degree in the Jazz Improvisation stream. He was awarded a Ba MUSIC PERFORMANCE in 1994. In this time he continued taking lessons, including a year with Australian drumming godfather Graham Morgan, as well as Darryn Farrugia and Alex Pertout, all while freelancing in the Melbourne music scene performing with the cream of Melbourne's concept bands and corporate acts.

In 1996 he accepted a teaching position along side some of Australia's top educators (at Drumtek) where he still teachers to this day. In this role he taught some of Australia's top young drummers, in one year alone Robi had taught all three finalists of AUSTRALIA'S BEST UP AND COMING DRUMMER COMPETITION as well as winners in other years. More recently he has taught students from Japan, Argentina and Switzerland. He is also on the teaching faculty at BOX HILL INSTITUTE, one of Australia's premier music institutions, as well as having assessed at Monash University. Robi has also successfully taught the VCE syllabus for many years.

Robi was also a contributing writer for the international publication DRUMSCENE doing cd reviews and "Groove Analysis " pages. More recently he has become more active in the studio having recorded as well as programmed jingles and commercial pop and rock. At present his time is divided between writing and recording with his original Band RADIODOGS and his hectic teaching, performing and recording schedule both with Radiodogs as well as others. Radiodogs first single "Bionic" was released last month. He has also appeared on TV on numerous occasions with both local and international acts including ADAM THOMPSON, VANESSA AMMAROSI, RADIODOGS, SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR and RONAN KEATING.

In his capacity as a performer and educator Robi has also been an active clinician, having performed a number of Clinics for Premier, Gretsch (current endorsement), Vater and Paiste. His most recent performance was at THE ULTIMATE DRUMMERS WEEKEND where he performed and open clinic demonstrating for Gretsch Drums and Paiste cymbals but he has also performed in numerous schools with a clinic series called THE PERCUSSION DISCUSSION. He has also performed at product info / clinics demonstrating new products such as the Paiste line of Traditional and Dimension Series Cymbals.
Future plans include another release with Radiodogs as well as the possibility of a book amongst about a million other things!