Kyle Cox

Kyle Cox

It was clear to Kyle from an early age that music would be a lifelong love. And so it has been, with his childhood passion leading to a music scholarship at University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied with director of percussion studies Dr. John Wooton.

While at USM, Kyle participated in many musical ensembles, was a captain and arranger for the Pride Drumline, and was principal percussionist for the internationally acclaimed USM Wind Ensemble.

But none of those intrigued and enthused him as much as playing in the USM steel band. From the moment he first heard steel sing, Kyle was certain that in one form or another, that ‘Pan’ would be a huge part of his life.

Upon graduating college, Kyle took a position at Coyle Steel Drums in Pensacola, Florida, and began a career in making steel pans. In 2004, Kyle started his own company, Pantheon Steel. In addition to creating instruments for people such as Kenny Chesney, the band 311, and others, Kyle has continued to perform. He has been fortunate enough to play on stage with artists such as Ray Charles, Robbie Greenidge (steel pan player for Jimmy Buffett), Cuban trumpet virtuoso Aurtoro Sandaval, and many others.

Though Pan, and percussion are now a successful career, they remain a passion, and music remains a life.

Pantheon Steel

In 2006, Kyle Cox and Jim Dusin combined forces to take on an ambitious and challenging new project that changed the direction, if not the heart, of Pantheon Steel: the Halo handpan. A truly twenty-first century descendant of the steel pan, the Halo represents the realization of a new vision of the ‘Pan’ as a hand-played steel instrument. This instrument has proven to be an instant success, and it is everything they can do to keep up with demand. The marriage of art and technology is integral in how this art form will flourish and they are proud to have both attributes working hand in hand at Pantheon Steel.