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2018 Magna Cum Laude Graduate
2014 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Music has been a part of my life since I was four, when I started playing piano. Although it never became my primary focus, It gave me a foundation that has been invaluable in my percussion playing. I've been playing percussion since 2006 and drum set since 2008. As soon as I received my drum set for my 13th birthday, I knew that is what I wanted to do with my life. Playing with other musicians and performing is my favorite thing to do in the whole world and I have been doing it professionally since 2012. I graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Slippery Rock University in 2018 and then was hired by Princess Cruises. I traveled the world performing every night for a year until 2019 pandemic and just recently moved to Nashville, TN. In addition to collegiate education, I have extensively studied Brazilian percussion, Irish Bodhran, and Cuban percussion by taking private lessons with masters in each field.
I have been teaching private lessons since 2016, and I have experience with all ages ranging from 11 to 45. While at Slippery Rock University, I assisted in the jazz camp held every year for high schoolers around the state. Part of my undergraduate degree was taking a pedagogy class for an entire semester which consisted of a variety of teaching methods. I have studied music from many teachers over the years who use a variety of styles and methods. I utilize and combine many strengths from their teachings within my own teaching experience.
can teach from any book the student is interested in, but if he or she is unsure where to begin, I recommend the following. For basic snare drum technique, I teach out of "Alfred's Drum Method Book One," as well as printing out a page of all 40 essential rudiments for each student; I would teach these as the student progresses. For beginner drum set, I teach out of "Alfred's Beginning Drum Set Method," as well as playing along to songs the student picks out; this is truly the best way to improve on the instrument. For jazz, I teach out of John Riley's, "The Art of Bop Drumming." For Cuban and Brazilian percussion, I teach out of Ed Uribe's, "The Essence of Afro-Cuban Percussion and Drum Set," and "The Essence of Brazilian Percussion and Drum Set." For Rudimental Snare Drum I teach out of Charley Wilcoxon's, "The All-American Drummer," and for Concert Snare Drum I teach out of Mitchell Peters' Snare Drum Studies Books. For Mallet Percussion, I teach out of Morris Goldenberg's, "The Modern School For Xylophone, Marimba and Vibraphone."
As a teacher, I can adapt my teaching style to fit the unique strengths and needs of each individual student. I can work towards their goals which could include, preparing for school band concerts, preparing for auditions, learning their favorite songs, joining a band, or anything else they desire. I strive to foster an encouraging environment for self-growth, self-expression, and dedication to art. Since effective practice methods are important, I work with each student to determine their learning style and accommodate accordingly so they can achieve their best practice.