Drum Lessons in Altadena, CA

Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga

I have always loved music. I write and create music everyday. When I graduated high school I earned a band scholarship which allowed me to play in many different genres of music. I played in Big Jazz bands, Small Jazz combos, and pit orchestras. I toured with the Pittsburg State University Jazz Band and played timpani and snare for The Pittsburg State University Syphonic band. All four years. Fast Forward, in 2001 I placed an original piece of music in a film called "Punks". Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I am an active percussionist currently based in the San Fernando Valley, but my passion for music has brought me all over the world. After earning a Bachelors degree in Percussion Performance from Humboldt State University under Dr. Eugene Novotney, I continued my musical studies at the University of Ghana in West Africa, and have since been to 21 different countries in search of exotic sounds and rhythms. I have recorded drumkit and percussion on over a dozen albums, and have internationally and domestically toured with Cleopatra Records artists Hedersleben and Nik Turners Hawkwind. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For all students I typically teach from Musicians Institute’s curriculum. This curriculum is tailored in a clear and concise form to progress chronologically from the bottom up. The books I use can help to develop performance, reading, and technique etc at levels beginner through advanced. Most kids I try to teach with additional factors to keep lessons entertaining, and for adults I try to give them as much information as possible while catering to where they are trying to get as a drummer as opposed to the overall knowledge a kid needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Accordion Ukulele Mallet Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I've found that being flexible and adaptible is most important to me, as everyone learns in a different way. I place a lot of importance on following student interest and goals as well, since it doesn't matter how great your instruction is if you're bored and don't want to keep playing. I think every student should get as much out of their lesson experience as they want, whether that means a more casual experience where you're not practicing too much throughout the week, or holding my student more accountable if they express more ambitious goals. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums

For beginning students who aren't quite sure what path they'd like to take in drumming, I like to start by teaching out of Joel Rothman's Basic Drumming, which will help build a solid foundation of the fundamentals that will be essential for being any style of drumming. But my ultimate goal is to let you guide your own journey, and we can focus on diving deeper into more advanced exercises, fine-tuning your technique, improving your pocket, time, and feel, learning to play your favorite songs and why the drums make them so good, composing your own parts, songs, or solos, and truly any aspects of your drumming you'd like to improve! Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

My teaching style is supportive. I like to help teach a student how to practice as well as how to play. My fondest memories as a student were those where I was learning and listening to music with my teacher. Watching them react and feel the beats is an incredibly informative part of the learning experience. Learning of to digest material and make it feel musical and fun for the student is a huge goal that I have as a teacher. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience is 16 years deep starting with teaching drums and art in after school programs and to the point I have now in my day job where I work as a registered behavioral technician for Arcadia Unified School District in a moderate to severe autism classroom. I have a deep love for music and education, so bringing them together in my own way has been such a fulfilling experience. Read More