Drum Lessons in Westvern, CA

Instruments: Guitar Violin Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Acoustic Guitar

As of this updated bio due to COVID-19 (Nov. 2020), Greg has been doing a hybrid format of teaching, primarily through Zoom with some in person instruction while maintaining orders of social distancing and wearing masks. He is currently on faculty at Santiago Canyon College, Santa Ana College, Neal Music Instruction in Anaheim, WePlay Music in Irvine, and La Serna High School in Whittier. He has previously taught at the Saturday Conservatory of Music in San Gabriel, Suzanne Middle School in Walnut, IvyCrest Montessori in Fullerton, and Music & Arts in San Dimas and Mission Viejo. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Prior to making the transition to a full time musician, I was a swim and surf instructor for children and adults! This experience greatly prepared me for teaching music. I learned a lot about patience, communication, and having fun which is what I've been incorporating into my 3 years of teaching drums and percussion. I also have experience with different age groups, cultural backgrounds, and children with disabilities. I've taught children age 5 up to 17, I have basic conversational French and Spanish speaking skills, and I have experience with children with Autism, Aspergers, Down Syndrome and ADHD. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have found that showing instead of telling comes across really well in teaching. I like to break things down and make sure a student isn't wasting time trying to get something new. I make them set reasonable goals in the moment till they feel like they can walk away having something new under their belt. To me one of the most important parts of showing a student something new is explaining why they should learn it or why they should do an assignment and how they can apply these things to real musical situations. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students who are young, I usually start with just a snare drum. Learning stick holding and striking technique, and then move onto adding pieces of the drumset to play on. From there, I go onto introducing learning note values, and drum music reading. For adults, I may start the same way, but also discuss what they would like to focus on. I really like to imply the fundamentals of contemporary music, and what is typically used on well known recordings. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Music has always been deeply involved in my life. I have played music since first grade, starting out on the piano. after dabbling with violin and other instruments, I gradually moved toward my current primary instrument. The drum set has revolutionized my understanding and love for this outstanding art form. I began playing in school bands all the way up through high school. Studying with great musicians such as Dan Robbins and Howard Stephens developed the beginning of my musicality with the drums. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

Ive enjoyed a distinguished career in Los Angeles as a player and a teacher since the 1970s.Ihold a BA in Music from California State University Long Beach and trained extensively under both Murrary Spivack and Richard Wilson, two masters of drum technique with hundreds of successful pupils worldwide. I'veworked or recorded with such artists as Bill Cunliffe, Bob Sheppard, John Patitucci, Eddie Harris, Tony Malaby, Putter Smith, Eric Marienthal, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles, Steve Cardenas, Scott Colley, Alan Broadbent, Gary Foster, and Alan Pasqua to name just a few. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

I love working hard with students who are extremely motivated, who practice a lot, and who want to move onto more advanced concepts and exercises each week, however I also love working with students who don't have a whole lot of time to practice and who simply want to use playing music as a way to wind down on the weekends. Regardless of your goals, it's my aim to be clear about what it looks like to get there and to ensure that you're having fun watching yourself grow. Read More