Drum Lessons in Alpine, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching private lessons while I was in graduate school, starting in 2016. I have taught at the Peabody Conservatory Prep Division, Yale College lessons program, Music in the Schools Initiative, privately contracted lessons, Notre Dame High School in West Haven, CT, and finally and currently, I teach full time as Associate Chair of Music and Assistant Professor at the University of Bridgeport since 2022. I have taught a wide range of styles from classical orchestral instruments to calypso music and steelpan. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Drums Banjo Mandolin Fiddle Orchestral Percussion Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started out as a percussionist, studying throughout high school and in to college at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. During my time in Boston, I discovered a bustling bluegrass music scene and my focus switched to stringed instruments, namely the mandolin and the violin. Since College, I have been using all veins of traditional music to join in and build communities of artists. I'm very well connected in the New York City Bluegrass, Irish, and Jazz scenes. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Although I have my own methods and "prescribed" teaching materials, I love to keep a dialogue with the student. I always ask what their goals with music are, as I will then tailor the lessons accordingly. If a student says to me that they want to work towards an audition, I know that I can push them harder in terms of expectation and material. Or, I've had students who want to learn how to play a specific style or song, and those lessons can be much more mellow. Read More

Instruments: Drums

'Relaxed' and 'Musical' are the most important words to explain my teaching style. I enjoy the hang and I enjoy the music. Nothing we do will be purely technique based. Everything will involve music. We will never just read notes on a piece of paper! We'll listen to music, we'll always tie exercises back to things you already know and we will get to know one another's musical personalities. Wherever you are on your musical journey is the only possible place to be. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Previously mentioned, depending on the individual student, my methods and concepts will change. In teaching i have found there is NOT a "perfect way to teach" or "right way". People are different and everyone learns differently and at different paces, so the style of teaching has to change from student to student. However, the biggest principal i have seen in teaching lessons, is if the teacher believes in the student, and the student knows it, results will sky rocket and the student will do anything for that teacher. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

For beginning students, I will start off with some basic rhythm sheets that I have created, and begin to asses the competency and understanding of basic rhythm. I firmly believe for any instrument that everyone needs a strong foundation of rhythm in order to progress into more advanced levels of playing and reading. At this point, I will begin to use Alfred’s Drum Method Books 1 and 2 interchangeably, eventually leading to Podemski’s Standard Snare Drum Method at the advanced level along with Rolls Rolls Rolls. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trombone Drums Synthesizer Euphonium Tuba Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More