Drum Lessons in Starmount Forest, NC

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

As a musical educator, I firmly believe in simultaneously ecouraging my students as a push them far past whatever limits they may have had at the beginning. While doing this, I've also realized that each student eventually reaches an "ah ha" moment in their time of learning with me. This happens when the student begins to come into his/her own "musical identity." As crazy as it may sound, I never teach my student how to play, look like or to sound like "me" as I'm teaching them. Read More

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

When teaching drums or percussion to a beginner, I always start with basic stick-control and technique. I have numerous methods for progression but after some time, I always let the student's interests and goals lead the way. I have multiple snare drum/drum set method books that range from elementary to advanced skills to achieve growth. I'm also a firm believer in being able to play by ear (and reading). Read More

Instruments: Drums

Learning to play a musical instrument is a life-long journey on which the traveler continuously learns, grows, and develops. My work as a teacher is to meet my students wherever they are in their journey and guide them to the next stage in their development. To do this, there must first be a supportive, safe container in which that development can take place. This is my primary focus. Second, one of my teachers once said that people need to be reminded more than they need to be instructed. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Keyboard Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching expereince dates back to before I graduated undergraduate school. Since I had a semester to wait for Commencement, I was afforded an opportunity to work as a Teacher assistant, in an Open Classroom Learning Environment. This immediately preceded a very rewarding Student Teaching experience in the rural southern state of North Carolina. I was as challenging an experience as I have ever had being that my travel mileage on some days was as much as 80 miles. Upon my return to New York, I was afforded an opportunity to teach Beginner Band Grades 4,5 and 6, per diem for one year. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I like to start out with extremely simple fundamentals which can then be seen in most every piece of music. Connections like that are important for any student. For younger students I heavily emphasize just having fun, and that every lesson they can go home and say 'look mom/dad at what I can do!' I believe that keeping students interested and focused on having fun while learning new material and techniques is the best strategy to ensure growth as a musician. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Hi everyone! I have been involved in performing and recording music my entire life, primarily as drummer and percussionist, but also as composer/ songwriter/ multi-instrumentalist. After eighteen years as director of the Enrichment Center Percussion Ensemble, I am devoting myself full time to music creation and private music instruction. While I have extensive experience teaching music to individuals with disabilities, and won awards for my success in doing so, I have taught many others along the way, from children to adults. Read More