Drum Lessons in Crystal City, VA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

Weekly lessons with me are structured around achieving attainable short-term goals. Daily practice sessions are encouraged, but thoughtful, intermittent practice sessions far outweigh the necessity of sitting behind the kit every day. I strive to make the atmosphere of the lesson relaxed and fun; I'm patient and accommodating for different styles of learners. Although I'm fond of several famous publications such as Stick Control and The Art of Bop, I don't rely on text as the only way to deliver a musical message. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Weekly Practice and Reinforcement: Consistent practice is key to musical development. I provide weekly instruction and assignments designed to reinforce concepts covered during lessons and encourage regular engagement with the instrument. This structured approach fosters discipline and helps students develop a strong foundation in drumming. Building Confidence Through Achievement: I believe in setting achievable goals and celebrating successes, no matter how small. Each lesson is designed to build upon the previous one, allowing students to experience a sense of accomplishment and grow in confidence with every step forward. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard

I combine high expectations with patience and friendly encouragement. Students will rise to excellence, often because they do not know how difficult something is. I focus a great deal on muscle memory, and encourage that new pieces be learned initially at a slow tempo, and hands separately. This enables the mind and body to learn and retain at the same time. Also, since one hand is always dominant, this allows the weaker hand to grow and learn independence. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music and Jazz can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

I began my teaching journey at my local church and later expanded to formal private lessons at home. One of the key challenges I faced was teaching piano to children as young as five years old. However, seeing how quickly they could assimilate music at such an early age has been incredibly rewarding. I emphasize the importance of regular practice for all students, especially younger ones, as perseverance and patience are essential values in developing strong piano skills and becoming accomplished musicians. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I love the reward I get from seeing my students progress ! Whether it's getting through a tough snare drum solo , mastering a marching band audition piece or helping them with a cover tune on their drumset ( or even suggesting parts and ideas for an original song ) I believe this promotes confidence in a student's music ability. I've had the good fortune of seeing my students recieve scholarships to college music programs, become 1st chair snare drummers in high school marching bands and even go to the local club to watch their band perform. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I have over 25 years of teaching experience in both drum set and world percussion. I also teach a unique "hybrid" combination style of drums and percussion. My experience as a performer in all musical styles both on international stages and recording, has given me a deep knowledge and skill base for both live and studio performance. My experience as a veteran teaching artist, private instructor, and certified drum circle facilitator, has given me a unique perspective for systematic and comprehensive rhythm instruction. Read More