Drum Lessons in Westlake, WA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

My personal approach to teaching drums and percussion is to offer the student a good foundation in the basics from which to study. Drums are a very easy instrument to get started on and take consistent amounts of practice to really succeed at being good. Nothing is more rewarding for me that to see a student work through a trouble spot and become proficient in the style he or she is trying to develop. Read More

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

I am a professional percussionist with a wealth of performing experience in many styles including rock, funk, jazz, classical, and world music.  I have toured throughout the USA performing at distinguished concert venues, festivals, and clubs. Currently I am a very active freelance percussionist in the Pacific Northwest performing with symphony orchestras, rock bands, jazz trios, and others. As an instructor I have been teaching (both privately and in the classroom) without interruption for over twenty years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For just about any instrument, a key approach of mine is to teach students how to play the songs they love - and then the musical building blocks that make up said songs. Then, I teach the rudiments, patterns, and music theory behind those building blocks, and teach the students to be able to figure this all out on their own in the future through ear-training. I tend to like the Essential Elements series for band instruments, the Alfred books for piano and guitar, the Real Book for a wide variety of jazz repertoire. Read More

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

Ihave been active in the Seattle music scene for the past five years as a drummer, percussionist, composer, songwriter, bandleader, and instructor.I have performed regularly with world-funk orchestra A Cedar Suede, rock quartet SpiceRack andelectro-prog group Spyn Reset. In addition, I have pioneeredmy own musical projects throughout the years. Ihave performed with greats such as singer-songwriter Keith Secola, psychedelic-jazz entrepreneur Wayne Horvitz, and New-Orleans based guitarist Cliff Hines.My musiccan also be heard on many recordings including, the 2013 video release of Mary Lambert's "She Keeps Me Warm". Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning players, I like to start with the books "A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum" and "A Fresh Approach to the Drum Set," both by Mark Wessels. These books do a great job of laying down the fundamentals that all drummers should learn at the outset of their education. Beyond that, what I teach depends largely on any specific path(s) the student may wish to pursue, though of course it is totally fine if the student doesn't immediately know what they would like to study beyond the basics. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

My main teaching experience comes from working with multiple marching bands during their summer training camps. I worked as a percussion instructor and I taught marching techniques, playing techniques, drills, and rehearsed parts within the section. While in college I maintained a few beginning private students where my primary focus was establishing fundamental playing technique. I love motivating students with music that they enjoy. When someone enjoys what they're playing, they tend to be more engaged and practice more. Read More