Drum Lessons in Vermont, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My objective as a teacher is to foster a positive learning environment for all students, and my expertise aligns with the qualifications needed for students of all skill levels. Since graduating eleven years ago with a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies I have worked in a variety of teaching settings including classrooms and one-on-one. I have developed many valuable skills while teaching diverse groups of students including both children with learning disabilities and gifted children. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I began teaching early into my drumming studies when my teacher asked me to fill in when he wasn’t available. That made it easy for me to relate to my students and my love of teaching grew alongside my love of drumming. I have studied the drums with William Lyons, Mark Schulman (Pink, Foreigner), and Zoro (Lenny Kravitz, New Edition). I have toured and recorded with a variety of bands and won the “Electronica Drummer of The Year” at the L.A. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My lessons are based on 3 different approaches. The first is the understanding of the essential rudiments for drumming. These help to instill all of the basics and the foundation of drumming. The second is utilizing the collegial based learning systems. These include instruction in many genres, dynamics, appropriate context, and practical application of drumming. Lastly, I identify both the specific individual goals and the strengths and weaknesses of that specific student. Read More

Instruments: Drums

There is not a one-size fits all teaching method for beginners, or any playing level for that matter. Every student had different goals for what they want to play or what they want out of music in general. Bombarding a new student with drum rudiments and prescribed drum patterns (unless it is what they desire) can be very daunting and could lead a student to dislike drums or any instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For very beginning and young students we will usually begin with just a book or two. We will work on the basics of how to drum (holding sticks, striking the drum, etc) as well as learning basic notation. Very early on I like to show everyone how to play something as simple as a rock groove, that is much easier than it sounds. Drumming is something that can sometimes be very hard to work at but it is always nice for a student to see that it is possible and with just that much work they have already achieved that! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

I have over 30 years of teaching and professional experience. Piano is my first instrument, but I also have a degree in percussion. For piano: I have studied with Charlie Banacos, a music master from the New England area for 11 years. For percussion: I have studied with Vic Firth, timpanist of the Boston Symphony and also Alan Dawson, jazz drummer. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

The way I teach is about showing the student "the dance" of drums. The exercises and rudiments they practice are the movements in a dance. For example, with Punk drums the movements need to be mastered and played fast so the student will have to practice to get the movements up to speed instead of focusing on the beat. With Pop drums the movements need to be comfortable but precise as the student learns the importance of a metronome and how to relate to it by thinking of it as a member of the band. Read More