Drum Lessons in Goodenow, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Keyboard

That's where I get my joy. In High School, I was awarded the "Louis Armstrong Achievement Award" in jazz for playing drum set for the jazz band. In college, I performed with the HBCU All-star band during their National Band Directors Consortium. I was awarded first chair percussion. I've been playing Gospel Piano since 1998 and refined my skills at Chicago State University where I obtained my Bachelors of Music Education. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I love seeing my students excited about music. I like students to bring in music they feel passionate about so we can break it down and start to understand what makes it work. I find it important to set goals, adjust goals when things arent working and celebrate them when they are. Because of the great instruction I have had in my life, I understand the importance of being a teacher. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

For beginners, I typically start with Stick Control: For the Snare Drummer by George Lawrence Stone, and The Drumset Musician by Rod Morganstein. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I sculpt the lesson plan depending on the style(s) the student would like to learn, from Rock and Funk to Jazz, Latin and more. For intermediate to advanced students, I try to figure out what goals the student would like to achieve, and then plan a lesson that will help the student achieve those goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I currently play drums for the hit Broadway musical (non-union version) of Rock of Ages and when I'm not on the road; I'm teaching. I’m an avid columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine and I sing/play guitar for one of Chicago's best Nirvana tributes called Smells Like Nirvana. I studied at Berklee College of Music and I have a huge passion for teaching. I offer the option for students to get their lessons recorded via audio/video so they have a reference to stay on task for their next lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

I encourage students to set their own goal, no matter the age. For youth, I desire the parents to be involved and provide encouragement in between lessons to ensure that students get the best result. I use positive reinforcement with my students as I have with my own children. I find that rewarding student with praise for accomplishing their goals helps them grow their confidence and self-esteem within their skill set. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

Onside of this, I've taught percussion ensembles to local middle schools such as Mokena and Manhattan Jr. High. Additionally, I've taught 8 marching band ensembles and am currently writing music for some of those. Nowadays, I'm a student at NIU in my last year of study and look forward to rebuilding a studio of young professional musicians here in Dekalb. -Chicago Bulls NBA active drummer for 6 years -Performed at Lollapalooza this last summer with electronic artist Ekoli -Marched 3 years in Phantom Regiment Drum Corp. on snare and was drum captain in 2015 -Marched 1 year in Colts Drum Corp. on snare -Performed 5 year in WGI group Cavaliers Indoor Percussion -Played at PASIC in Indy this past winter with NIU Percussion studio -4 years drumming improv. for NIU dance classes -Played tenors at NIU in the marching band -Played in jazz combos at NIU Teaching: -Taught Shadow Drum Corp. 2 years -I've been teaching private lessons for 10 years now -Taught Middle School Percussion Ensemble -Battery Caption head at LWMB and Wheaton Warrenville south as well as other places over the years such as Lake Park, Plainfield -Taught in Music Matters music shop Let me know if you'd like to know more and I hope you consider my expertise. Read More

Instruments: Drums

First and foremost, I teach to the comfortable speed of the student. Learning skill and permanent muscle memory is much more important that covering as much material as possible but then not grasping the concepts and motor skills. My main teaching style approaches beats and patterns in the simplest of actions, making sure the student is comfortable with those actions, then combining actions together, step by step as the student progresses until the student has the full understanding of the beat. Read More