Violin Lessons in Wichita, KS

Instruments: Piano Drums Latin Percussion

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I first went to the Conservatory of Naples (IT) and studied classical percussion during high school. After that, at 18 I moved to Amsterdam and got my Bachelor (skipping one year) in Jazz Drums. Thereafter I got also my Master degree in Amsterdam, during which I did an exchange of a semester at The New School in New York. After that, in 2020 I started my second Master degree at Manhattan School of Music in New York, which I completed and graduated in May 2022 with 4.0 GPA.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Patience. Playing drums, or trying to master any kind of art, is not only about the instrument/art. It's really a spiritual process of your whole life.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My father plays drums as a hobby so when I was a little kid I used to watch him play at the house and after few years of life I asked him to buy me a drumset

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I've played with some of the best musicians in the world. In Amsterdam I played in the Big Band with John Clayton, Bob Mintzer and Vince Mendoza, to name a few. Those where beautiful experiences. However I think the best is yet to come.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I started playing drums at a very young age, I was about 5 or 4, watching my father. So my father was my first drums teacher, and of course we didn't ahave a conventional teacher-student relationship. My first real teacher was Maurizio Saggiomo. I went to him at 12 and I stayed for about 4 years. He's of course the one who gave me the most. I'm very thankful to him and the way he taught me, I learned a lot not only about the drums but also about life and teaching. Then of course I had a lot of teachers in my life and everyone of them was very impactful in different ways.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
There is no requirement one must have to start taking lessons. Every level, age or background is a good place to start. It just takes a good teacher to be able to understand the student, their learning patterns and allow the blossoming of their musicianship.

When will I start to see results?
I believe the more quality time one puts in it, the sooner the results will manifest. Don't rush the process, there are no shortcuts, just focus when you practice and you'll see you're going to get a lot out of it.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
My advice to practice effectively is: practice slow and focused! Most of the time practicing is just a matter of allowing your brain and your body to match their speed, so to speak.

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