Joshua S
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Joshua S
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
BM, University of North Texas, Music
2000-2007 Texas state certified (PK-12) band and percussion director in Plano ISD, Garland ISD 2012-2019 Professional musician in New York City
Originally from Dallas, TX, I have nearly 20 years of music education experience at the elementary, secondary, and adult/college levels. After graduating from The University of North Texas, I spent several years as a band director in DFW before moving abroad to teach and perform. Recently, after spending 7 years as a professional musician in New York City, I realized how much I missed teaching in Texas! So it's time to return to my home and do for students what my music teachers did for me many years ago. Let's build our musicianship, confidence, and life fulfillment through drums and percussion!
My teaching career began nearly 20 years ago as the assistant director of a concert band for senior citizens! I was about halfway through college when a music education professor asked me if I'd like the opportunity. From there I went on to teach full time or as a clinician and many middle and high schools in the DFW area, as well as Baylor University. My time living abroad in Brazil and Korea gave me the opportunity to work with both younger (elementary) and older (adult) students in very diverse environments. And during my time as a musician in NYC, I always flew back to work with high school drumlines and jazz bands back home in Dallas. I enjoyed it so much, I had to come back for good!
Although drumset was my first instrument, I firmly believe in developing ability and musicianship primarily with the hands first. This doesn't mean we can't play full drumset from the beginning, but I do incorporate the practice pad as part of lessons regardless of age and ability level. These students (and their parents) are paying good money, so I'm going to deliver a solid and well rounded education. We will always cover what the student is primarily interested in, but it's also important to expose him or her to new things!
I would describe my teaching style as firm, even strict at times, but never mean or dry. Enjoyment, weather that be in the form of accomplishment, fulfillment, or just plain fun, is the key for success! Although I do think every student needs to know about certain aspects of playing and listening, every student is going to have different ideas of where they want to go with drums and music. As a person who has a deep love of wildly different realms of music, I can really appreciate that, and will constantly be designing and adjusting our lessons to accommodate each student.
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