Dante Kierstead
Drums & Percussion
Halifax drummer working across jazz, indie, and a range of styles. Active in live, session, and residency settings.
Live
Session
Studio
DRUMMER
Dante performs regularly across Halifax, from club residencies to festival stages, and contributes to session and studio projects with a variety of artists. He adapts quickly to different settings, bringing strong time, feel, and musical awareness.
In both small ensembles and larger groups, he brings consistency and a collaborative approach to every performance and recording.
Upcoming Shows:
Every Tuesday
Thursday, April 16
Sunday, April 19
Selected Honours & Awards
Judith A. Grant Award
Nova Scotia Talent Trust, 2025
Ian Lamont McLachlan Jazz Scholarship
Fountain School of Performing Arts, Dalhousie University, 2025
Dream Hughie Award
The Hughie Langin Foundation, 2025
Stan Carew Memorial Scholarship
Citadel High School, 2023
Larrie Londin Memorial Scholarship
Percussive Arts Society, 2023
Charlie A’Court Scholarship for Excellence in Music
Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Creative Arts, 2023
Selected recent awards.
Additional honours & scholarships awarded from 2018 to 2025.
Dante Kierstead
Drums & Percussion
Experience, Education & Memberships
Dante Kierstead is an in-demand, award-winning drummer based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He performs in live and session settings and is currently active with Hobo Aquarium, idialedyournumber, and Noel Morgan & The Salty Groove. He also performs with LC3 at the Economy Shoe Shop’s Tuesday Night Jazz residency.
He works with artists including Alvaro, Jah’Mila, and Madeline, contributing as a reliable and adaptable collaborator. His playing spans jazz, indie, and multiple styles, developed through work in bands, ensembles, and studio sessions.
In 2025, he traveled to Cuba with the Los Primos Project, performing with NSCC ensembles and Cuban musicians.
Dante is a member of Music Nova Scotia, the Jazz Education Network, and the Percussive Arts Society. He holds a Music Arts Diploma from NSCC and is completing his Bachelor of Music at Dalhousie University.
For bookings and collaborations, get in touch.
© All Rights Reserved.