Drum Lessons in Great Lakes, IL

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard

As an educator it is my goal for students to be able to communicate through the language of music. Whether the student is a beginner or advanced, the first thing they will be taught is to listen and respond. Ive always believed that the best way to learn music is as if you are learning a foreign language. When learning a language, one is given a small amount of vocabulary, they learn what it means, and practice using it in conversations. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

As far as other instruments including the guitar and ukulele, I just think they’re awesome and I play them at home whenever I get a chance! having started on violin when I was six years old, I was first chair second violin throughout high school. Therefore, I can assist you in being able to read music as well. I am also currently using a music app (FL Studio) that has allowed me to create trap beats and back beats for songs I continue to write. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

While I was still in high school in 1995, I began giving drum lessons to neighborhood kids. After a while, I realized it was something I could really get into. Before even graduating, I taught 10-12 steady students for quite a long time. Some of the neighborhood kids studied with me until they went to college. In the past ten years, I have taught in music stores and am now at the Kenosha Conservatory of Music for over 2 years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Lute Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Depending on the personality of each student, I adjust my expectations and decide how tolerant or strict I should be. I truly believe that a teacher needs to view each student as a unique individual with unique needs and abilities, and adjust the teaching methods and ways of communicating the material accordingly. My teaching philosophy incorporates what I would call a “holistic approach” that is based on discovering what each student needs in order to progress and reach the best of his/her abilities. Read More

Instruments: Drums

First and foremost, my number one goal is to help my students achieve their goals - always! I believe that in order for anyone to make progress in anything, there must first be a (decently) strong foundation on which to build upon. What that means in terms of an overall application towards the drums (and percussion instruments in general) is that I believe having a strong understanding and foundation in reading music and general hand/feet technique (i.e. how to hold the sticks) should be developed in order to, for example, properly facilitate around the drum kit, regardless of genre and/or style. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

The Symphony Band recorded two albums with world-renowned composer Stephen Melillo, which Andrew was a performing percussionist on both, and the Principle Percussionist for the Whispers on the Wind album. The Symphony Band also recorded Alfred Reed's "Symphony for Brass and Percussion" for Alfred Music Group during the time Andrew was the Principle Percussionist. Andrew has also competed in the PASIC Collegiate Individual Tenor Solo Competition and has placed in the Top Ten four times, the Top Five Twice, along with a 2nd Place finish in 2008. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

Every student comes at a different level, no matter what age they are. For younger students who are just beginning, I feel like it is my job to first and foremost get them excited about playing the drums. I find it to be difficult to teach anything if the student dimply does not want to be there because they do not have a good relationship with the instrument. Once I feel the student is excited and ready, I usually introduce the "Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer." This book is important for building skills in reading music, ear training, and general funky rhythms! Read More