Drum Lessons in Oakland, NJ

Instruments: Piano Drums

I've been teaching all kids and adults for over 15 years. I 'm awesome with kids (so the parents have told me!)... I don't adhere to any rigid format. I work with what level and progression suits you, and I'm super-easy to get along with. Also, I believe in positive reinforcement. There are some old school teachers who sometimes degrade a pupil when they're not doing an exercise correctly. I don't teach like it's the ancient Roman Byzantine era, where teachers would slap a student's hand with a riding crop! Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have taught students of all ages and experience levels. I am currently preparing multiple students for a graded solo performance that will be happening at the local NYSSMA festival this June at NYU. One of my past students had received entry into the Fiorello H. Laguardia High School Of Music Art and Performing Arts. As a group percussion instructor for BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life), I worked with students in a summer program who were in grades six, seven, and eight. Read More

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

My method of working with drums and percussion is to first get a sense of what the student's goals are. These include both goals involving general drums/percussion and career/performance goals. We will then work together to form a plan to achieve them. This will include exercises tailored directly to the student's needs and desires within drums/percussion as well as overall musical standings and guiding the student to repertoire that will both be fun for them to play and will teach them more about the concepts we are working on. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I believe playing and teaching go hand in hand, seeing that the best teachers and educators are the ones that are actually out in the field making a living with that particular craft. I have had the opportunity to teach a lot of young children, teenagers and adult students over the years and it's still a privilege to be able to impact lives wherever possible and build student and teacher relationships. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

I think the most important part of teaching is developing a positive mentoring relationship to the student. My favorite teachers always went above and beyond to not only educate me on their favorite subject, but also to show me life lessons along the way and listen to my problems. Ultimately I know that not every one of my students will become a professional musician, and that is okay! I do want them to develop a positive relationship with rhythm and music, and an ability to enjoy these things in anything they listen to. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach basic stick technique using George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control, and I have numerous hand exercises based on patterns from that book that I warm up with every lesson. Starting with snare drum and basic hand technique also will incorporate rhythm reading, and basic limb independence. When my students start behind the kit, they will start by applying some of those hand exercises to the drumset, and also learn how to orchestrate and play basic grooves. Read More