Drum Lessons in Villa Park, IL

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been playing the drums for 16 years and the guitar for 18 years. I started by learning how to play rock beats and songs independetly and eventually started taking lessons from drummer, Martin Dosh of Andrew Bird's live band. Martin, a jazz and hip-hop drummer from Minneapolis taught me how isolation techniques and jazz/swing exercises derived from Hal Leonard's methods book. Since College, I have been playing in local and touring bands as well as teaching out of my studio space in Ukrainian Village, Chicago. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For all students during the first lesson I have them play something regardless of their skill level. Based on personal experience I’ve noticed that not all students have the same level of ability. For example in drum lessons I’ve had some entry level students sit down and play a groove and have another sit down and have no coordination. After determining the students ability level, my next step is to determine what the students likes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Keyboard

That's where I get my joy. In High School, I was awarded the "Louis Armstrong Achievement Award" in jazz for playing drum set for the jazz band. In college, I performed with the HBCU All-star band during their National Band Directors Consortium. I was awarded first chair percussion. I've been playing Gospel Piano since 1998 and refined my skills at Chicago State University where I obtained my Bachelors of Music Education. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

My methods are executed with one core value in mind: create a life long learner and lover of music. This means I establish the fundamentals of theory with beginning students and reinforce them with intermediate students. Before an instrument is played, the concepts of rhythm, note value, and scales must be approached in an engaging way. With collaboration over curriculum, I would work with the student to find his/her interests and inspiration, making the journey worthwhile and fun! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I have loved music from a very early age and I have been fortunate to study a variety of instruments and musical styles. I grew up studying the drums, piano, guitar, voice, and songwriting. I have been in a cover bands, original bands, jazz bands, choirs, a country band, a steel drum band, marching band, opera, a pop orchestra, a hip hop ensemble, and musical theatre productions. In college I took my studies further by learning music theory and aural skills while still performing in ensembles and writing lots of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I am a passionate musician and performer, and that passion is met with an equal passion for passing on the knowledge and inspiration I have had the opportunity to gain to others. I am a recent graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in Music Performance and Arts Administration and am now working on a Master of Music with a focus on jazz and world music at Northern Illinois University.I have had many invaluable opportunities so far in my life, but a few that stand out include opportunities to study and perform overseas (West African Drumming in Ghana, Steel Pan in Trinidad) and opportunities to perform and work with artists such as Jeff Coffin, Bob Mintzer, Wycliffle Gordon, Brad Dutz, Chris Wabich, Liam Teague, and many others. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga

I strive to create an atmosphere of fun and creativity in my studio. This is done while simultaneously building a strong foundation of technique, posture, and musicality in all of my students, regardless of their age or experience level. I have no personal agenda when instructing. I consider myself merely a means for the student's own personal and musical development. Lesson structure depends on the individual's goals. If the student hopes to nail an audition for a spot in a high school's drumline, then we will work on snare drum technique and concentration during private practice and during performance. Read More