Drum Lessons in Southbridge, MA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Conga

I have been teaching since 1977. I have studied with the late, great Tony Williams and Alan Dawson, Fred Buda, Ed Soph and composition with Steve Grover. I have taught private lessons, small group ensembles, elemntary music theory, orchestral percussion and voice coaching. I have taught in public schools, private prep schools and college. I have performed in the United States and Germany and the Netherlands. I have recorded with Tiger Akoshi, David Mallett and The Novel Jazz Septet. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

Through my time both as a student and educator there has always been an over arching philosophy to balance out priorities of progress and achievement with fun and sheer enjoyment. I can remember times where music for me, became not what it is intended to be because of the stress and anxiety that I would sometimes encounter in practice and performance settings. Now, I don't mean to say stress and added pressure is never a good thing. Read More

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

It really depends on needs and desires of student!  I create custom lesson plans for each student depending on their current ability level, age, and future goals. For drums -topics include: various Snare books to teach students sight reading basics while focusing on technique, transcriptions of drum grooves and solos, learning and playing along to recordings, etc.  For Piano, I combine a traditional note reading approach/music theory with the "by ear" Suzuki Method. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica

My methods for teaching are directly linked to the desires of the student and what they hope to achieve by learning how to play an instrument. If a student is particularly interested in songwriting and composition, I'd be more inclined to emphasize the principles or harmony, counterpoint, structure and written music, whereas if a student is more interested in becoming an instrumentalist for a band etc., I'd be more inclined to emphasize rudiments, scale exercises and a jamming mentality. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion

My teaching experience spans back to when I was in High School. I came from a very fortunate music program that focused heavily on marching band and jazz music. I had helped many incoming freshmen develop the skills necessary to succeed in the music program and watched them blossom into very talented, hard working musicians. After high school I continued to teach students and help them prepare for outside ensemble auditions, college auditions, and working on college repertoire with fellow students. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Piccolo Oboe Bassoon English Horn

My methods used for piano students are the Randall and Nancy Faber teaching books; they are among the very best teaching materials due to their ease of comprehension, their logical sequence of concepts taught, and also their practical exercises and songs for the student. My methods used for Band instruments (trumpet, clarinet, flute, drums, and trombone), are the Standard of Excellence books, as they are also among the very best in regards to explaining musical concepts, presenting new songs, and logical progression. Read More