Zachary K
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Latin, Swing, Punk
Zachary K
Instruments: Drums, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Latin, Swing, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
BM, Willamette University, Music Education
2014, 2015 - Downbeat Magazine Award for Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble Undergraduate College Winner
2014 - Performed at American Choral Director's Northwest Convention in Seattle, WA
2013 - Performed at American Choral Director's National Convention in Dallas, TX.
I am a passionate and fun instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. In 2014 I graduated from Willamette University in Salem, OR with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. While at Willamette I performed with many ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, many small Jazz Combos, The Willamette Chamber Choir, Male Ensemble Willamette (all male choir), Voce Feminile (all female choir), and The Willamette Singers, a vocal jazz ensemble. While a part of the Willamette Singers I was able to tour up and down the west coast as well as perform in Dallas, TX for the American Choral Director's National Conference. In addition I had the privilege of recording 4 CDs with the group in the famous recording studio, Studio X, in Seattle WA.
My passion for working with students started in high school. I was a long time counselor at my high school's summer day camp and acted as a leader to a group of kids from 2nd grade to 4th grade. In college that passion, combined with my passion for music, led me to major in music education. While at Willamette I helped middle schools and high schools in the community by serving as a percussion specialist running sectionals or coaching jazz rhythm sections. During the summer of 2013 I was able to teach a class in Lego Robotics at Willamette University. It was amazing to see the students design and program their own robots, each one different from the next. Seeing the joy on their faces reminded me why I love teaching so much.
For beginning students I like to find out how much experience they have had in music and find out what they want to get out of these lessons. If they are just starting out I'll start with the basics, how to hold a drumstick, the parts of the drum set, correct posture, etc. I believe that all students regardless of age and level should learn how to read music. My students will not only be learning how to play drums by listening to bands that they like but also by reading drum sheet music and learning basic theory. I also believe that all drummers should be well rounded and not only focus on one style of music. If a student as a favorite genre then we will focus on that one but we will also touch on other styles so that the student becomes the most well rounded musician they can be.
For me nothing is more rewarding than seeing a student smile while they are playing their instrument. Therefore it is important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I do this by setting goals for the current lesson as well as goals for their next lesson. I believe that acknowledging the students accomplishments only makes the students want to progress further on their instrument. My number one rule when doing anything is have fun and I teach with the mind set that my students will have fun playing their instruments.
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