Drum Lessons in Mchenry, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard

Basically I start with questions on why the individual wants to learn how to play that particular instrument. Then I follow with how much do they know about the instrument of their choice. So following a brief historical lesson we get into how to start playing that instrument. Also why I love to play that instrument and why I'm playing it with passion. I start teaching with basic scales or vocal warm-ups. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I love to teach my students the basic tools of what it takes to be a professional musician, whether or not they are into music as a hobby or as a serious profession. 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. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I have been singing since the tender age of three! I have loved singing and performing since then. This love has propelled me into the classrooms where I honed my craft. I also learned the discipline of practicing on other instruments as I went through high school at Emerson School for the Visual and Performing Arts. I graduated with honors as a vocal major. I later attended Wabash College and graduated as the only music major in the class of 2003. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I try to keep lessons fun even though there's aspects that might be boring. So, I will switch from snare drum to drum set. Learning how to combine rudiments with drum set music such as jazz and rock is very beneficial. When my students are having trouble with a certain area, I do well with taking out that area and making a drill out of it. One of my specialties is that I will play the bass with students for various styles so they can have a hands on experience of the relationship of a rhythm section, phrasing, and timing. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

I am a working professional who enjoys enhancing the knowledge of young musicians, and watching them grow as people and individuals. I am a freelance percussionist, musician, consultant, and private lessons instructor currently residing in Chicago. I have worked withnumerous high school, collegiate, WGI, and DCI programs in Nevada, Alabama,Wisconsin, California and Illinois as an educator, consultant and clinician. My original works have been performed by the UNLV Star of Nevada Drumline, the Troy University Sound of the South Drumline, The University of West Alabama CatalystDrumline, the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps, the Americanos Drum and Bugle Corps, along with various high school programs across the country. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For beginning students, I like to start with the basic fundamentals of holding the drum sticks properly and how to set up the drum set so its comfortable for the student. Every body type is different and its important to start with that. Then we would move on to learning the basics of different styles and then move on to reading music from method books. With adult students, I find out what they are interested in and work towards their goals. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

For beginning students, I like to stress fundamentals with a twist. I encourage my students to play along with music they like to keep them interested in what they are practicing. As the student progresses, I will either compose a short solo or provide a short solo in which they can apply fundamentals to. For intermediate and more advanced students, I like to let them guide their own instruction. After coming to me with topics they'd like to learn more about, I will provide exercises, musical examples, and pieces to help them assimilate what they have learned with me, to real-world examples. Read More