Nick L
Instruments: Drums
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Nick L
Instruments: Drums
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Salsa, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Course Work: Northwestern University, Course Work: Music Education
Hi! My name's Nick, I'm a student at Northwestern University studying music education! I've been playing drums for nearly a decade. I got my start playing at local clubs in Minneapolis under the mentorship of the top musicians in the Twin Cities . I was admitted to the Bienen school of music at Northwestern University to pursue a jazz performance degree under the guidance of world-acclaimed musicians. In 2022, I decided instead to pursue a degree in music education, studying instrumental and general classroom music with leading field experts. I apply the concepts I learn in my lectures to my private teaching. Though no longer a performance major, I'm still an active drummer on and off campus. Along with other musicians, I've worked with the Wirtz center for the performing arts to provide live pit orchestra for their musical productions for the past 3 years. I'm also an active freelancer for bands, playing with student groups at Evanston and Chicago venues such as Beat Kitchen. These encompass many genres: rock, hip hop, funk, Latin, and even K-pop. I recently finished a recording project as a guest artist for the band Musecology.
I've been teaching private lessons for about three years. My teaching emphasizes practical drumming skills that get students off their feet quickly if they are a beginner, and help move beyond technique and shape musicianship if they are an intermediate player. I put a heavy focus on helping the student become a well rounded musician first and foremost through content that they enjoy. This means addressing the role of the drums and other instruments in music, and encouraging discussion about how advanced drummers make artistic choices. As an instructor, I put passion above all else. This means learning the songs that my students want to learn, and practicing the material they want to practice. This intrinsic motivation will fast track learning, all while being more enjoyable! I have taught students from 3rd grade to 30+ years old, so I am comfortable with all ages!
For beginners, after we learn the basics of the instrument, I employ a repertoire-based instruction model that has students bringing their favorite songs to me. I use this repertoire to teach important concepts, all while the students learns what they want to learn. As a student transitions into intermediate drumming, I start to introduce some technical exercises that will allow the student to grow into their own style and express themselves. These exercises are dependent on what genre/style the student is most interested in. I also begin to introduce my own repertoire that has the student branching out and developing the practical skills to become a versatile drummer. At an advanced level, my technical instruction is much more self-guided. Instead, I focus on crafting a sound from the student that encompasses the appropriate nuance for an advanced drummer.
I firmly believe that nurturing passion for music and the drums is the ultimate goal of any private instructor. As such, I prioritize student agency to make their own musical journey. My role is to make this journey as smooth and efficient as possible by providing the appropriate materials and guidance. Though I always provide plenty of materials to enrich a student in between lessons, I don't enforce a particular practice schedule, nor do I ever scold students for meeting any "standard". Like any skill or hobby, the path to mastery is not linear. I congratulate and encourage hard work, and I am also understanding and supportive when a student hasn't accomplished all they wanted to. Music should be fun, and it should never be a chore or a point of anxiety. We should all be healthy human beings first and foremost.
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