Drum Lessons in Climax, NC

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I'm an active drummer/percussionist with over 40 years of playing experience in numerous different styles of music. I have extensive experience as a private teacher, and am currently the drum set instructor at High Point University, where I teach private lessons, play in the university orchestra, and perform in various different musical theater programs and events. I LOVE teaching students of all ages, getting to know their individual interests, and watching them grow as musicians AND as people! Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

As a musical educator, I firmly believe in simultaneously ecouraging my students as a push them far past whatever limits they may have had at the beginning. While doing this, I've also realized that each student eventually reaches an "ah ha" moment in their time of learning with me. This happens when the student begins to come into his/her own "musical identity." As crazy as it may sound, I never teach my student how to play, look like or to sound like "me" as I'm teaching them. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I gave my first drum lesson when I was just 14 years old. I can still remember how satisfying it was to be with students and witness the wonder and awe they had in their own hidden ability. My training has been both formal and informal, self-taught and others-taught, over the course of 4 decades of life. Equally, for many years Ive been fiercely committed to my own professional, spiritual, personal, and inter-personal development, which I feel is a potent path for any potential teacher/mentor/coach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion

Teaching must be a two way street between the instructor and the student. There must be an understanding of the relationship and a willingness on both ends to take everything that they can out of the experience. I believe once this is done, a relationship can start to form between the two which will naturally help in the learning progress. For adults especially, constructive criticism is just as important as the praise when you do a good job. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My philosophy is that everyone benefits from music instruction, especially percussion. No matter whether one's goal is to be a professional musician, or one simply wants to try something new, almost everyone enjoys the act of music-making! Having said that, every individual is unique, and I work with each person to determine what works best for his or her desires and abilities. While one student may dive right into rudiments and reading, another may benefit best from relaxed, organic, and gradual activities that lead to a greater comfort with the learning experience. Read More

Instruments: Drums

27 years of professional playing experience both playing live from Chicago to the East Coast. I have also done a lot of studio work and have one now that I work with on a regular basis doing demos and other clients projects. Read More