Daniel S  
Instruments: Drums, Latin Percussion
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Marching Band, Punk

I started taking Drum lessons of my own at Southern Thumb Music in Richmond, MI around the age of 10. My teacher, Keith Ottenbacher, was a great guy who taught me everything I know in every style. It was also there that I participated in many Percussion ensembles that earned many awards throughout the state. Not only ensembles, but independent Snare performance, earning high rankings and several 1st place awards. I started playing in bands around the age of 14, and traveling to do shows around Michigan. I really couldn't really get enough of the live music scene. I started playing in more groups, traveling the US and making records. I still do all of this today, having a collective 3 years of tour experience under my belt. I have made records with groups that have been released on several record labels, Including Paper+Plastick records, Vinyl Communique records and even Epitaph Records. With the studio experience and record releases also came sponsorships. During high school I was heavily involved in marching band and quickly took the position of Drumline section leader. This responsibility included writing cadences, organizing group practices as well as individual teaching. Currently, I am sponsored by SJC custom drums, who have made me 2 custom drum sets. This is the same company that makes drums for Tre Cool of Green Day and even Cyrus Balooki of New Found Glory. As far as direct drumming inspiration, I often cite 3 people. Paul Ramirez of The Flatliners, because of his impressive skill with very fast punk rock rhythms, Adrian Young of No Doubt due to his massive versatility and also Michael McDermot from The Bouncing Souls, due to his extremely impressive live performance presence. Taking up Lessons with me means you get great experience and loads of versatility! 

Typically, for students just starting out we would start on standard snare method, working out rudiments and gaining a sense of feel for drumming. This would eventually build up to working with the entire drum set, where we would explore several styles including Rock, Pop, Jazz, Swing, Latin and everything in between. Basically, I would try and find what the student is most interested in and build from there. Everyone wants something else, so it pays to be versatile. I would want students to have some bands or artists they are interested in to maybe learn some of their songs and styles.