Rob W
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion, Djembe
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Showtunes, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Rob W
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Conga, Latin Percussion, Djembe
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, R&B, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Showtunes, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
AA, University of Phoenix BA, The Pennsylvania State University
2001+2002 Member of the Jersey Surf Organization as a Performer in the Riptide (now United) Percussion Ensemble 2002+2003 Performing Member of the Bushwackers Drum and Bugle Corps 2002 Cast Member of the Feature Film "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey" (about the Broadway show "STOMP")
Drumming since the age of 6 and learning to play a few other instruments along the way, I've seized opportunities with large touring ensembles and small groups based all over the Northeastern United States, many of which have performed in locations ranging from the Brooklyn Bridge and Philadelphia's Merriam Theater, to large venues like Giants Stadium in New Jersey, the Continental Airlines Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as far away Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. This experience is essential to my understanding of the logistic and performance demands faced by modern musicians.
I've been a private lesson teacher since 1997 and have taught in 7 school districts across the Southeastern PA/Southern NJ area since 1999. My ensembles have consistently won State, Regional and National Championships over this time and my students have become members of elite performing ensembles like the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps (Fort Mill, South Carolina) and Miami, Florida's New World Symphony. While school level instruction is a critical element of student development, private lessons offer the individual attention not available to students taught in large groups, while yielding results of greater quality at a faster pace. Everyone learns differently and lessons tailored to the individual student are the greatest supplement to their participation in ensembles.
After evaluating a student's understanding and capabilities, I typically choose a method book to parallel their existing skills and work through it at the most enthusiastic, but comfortable pace. The importance of using method books is based in the student's ability to review material between lessons and using them as checklists for progress. Establishment of a solid fundamental approach will be critical to the student's advancement and ability to perform for an audience, regardless of size or venue acoustics.
My teaching style is based on providing the student with as many "light bulb" moments as possible. These moments of goals being realized are the achievements which drive students to excel and are imperative to their confidence. Students who feel stuck or unmotivated are rarely in this position as a result of limited resources, but rather the feeling of accomplishment which is the result of great effort. Everyone learns differently, but generating lessons to strengthen weaknesses and help remember previous teaching is vital when considering a student's enthusiasm for their craft.
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