Drum Lessons in Crestwood, VA

Instruments: Drums

First of all, I believe that drumming is the most enjoyable passion and talent of my life. I strive to have my students feel the same way. Most projects in life are based around a strong and firm foundation and drumming is no different. The foundation of drumming is based around time, rudiments and grooves. I strive to teach all of my students to be very well rounded on these three foundation pieces with as many styles of music as possible. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Over the years I've gained alot of experience in what makes a great preformer a great preformer. Studying at Montgomery College and being part of the Latin and Jazz emsembles taught me that music in more of a language and any. Everything that is played is interpreted by the listener as a true of false statement. Much like a typicall dialog with another human being, we interact on more than one level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Flute Drums Piccolo Acoustic Guitar

I absolutely love getting students really excited about their instrument. I like to show videos of high level playing and introduce a wide variety of genres and styles while I find exactly what it is that inspires the student to play. My lesson structure normally consists of a warm up, rudiment/sticking work, reading or playing exercise and new concepts, then work on a song. I really try to get my students playing along with tracks so they can hear how drums sound in a band setting and apply it to their playing! Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I'm a performer and educator motivated most by the flash of joy I see in students' faces when they first grasp a new musical concept. With a global perspective on music cultivated by my background performing Brazilian music and American Jazz since childhood, and further bolstered by a B.A. in Anthropology: Ethnomusicology from Ithaca College, I have been a full time touring musician for the last 10 years. In addition to mainstage festival appearances all over the country, I have been lucky enough to teach clinics and master classes in percussion at top conservatories and universities such as Oberlin College & Georgetown University, as well as workshops in high schools, middle schools, & elementary schools all over the US. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Double Bass Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I like to find out why my students are interested in playing music. This helps me to create a lesson plan for each individual one. I like to start out teaching using Alfred's beginner books, and progress from there. Each student learns at a different pace, so I base my lessons off of their progress. I have found that doing this helps keep the student motivated and encouraged in the process of learning their given instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Music

For me, teaching is much more than showing each student everything I know as a musician.  My ultimate responsibility as an instructor is to understand the students' goals and recognize how they learn best.  While recognizing their musical and technical accomplishments, I encourage the students to maintain patience and discipline as they delve farther into the study of their instrument.  The greatest reward for me as a teacher is to inspire my students to want to work hard to develop their own sound, style, and passion for music! Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga

For beginning students I usually show them a simple song and teach them how it relates to standard notation and drum set coordination through Ted Reed's Syncopation. Once the student can understand how each of the limbs work and how I will communicate it on a page, we can go over more songs and include other books which detail various beats that are recognizable as well as functional. After fundamental coordination is grasped we can begin to focus on rudiments and the application of certain hand exercises to the drum set to explore possibilities. Read More