Drum Lessons in Darien, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I use humor and my own experiences to first establish a caring environment in which the student can be comfortable. Once that connection is established, I like to find out the students interests and make sure a personal goal is set that we can achieve together. There has to be something exciting the student can achieve in order to develop self-motivation. I employ a number of tactics to stimulate self-expression and problem solving skills, as independent work and practice is crucial in any musician's journey. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums

I began teaching in high school with middle school percussion ensembles, drum lines, and several private students. In college when I wasnt studying, performing or rehearsing, I was teaching and being taught. I taught privately in my home studio as well as several lesson studios in and around the North Texas area for 4 years before moving to Chicago where I've continued to teach and perform full time. I encourage a regular practice routine as well as regualr lesson attendance especially when it comes to younger students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard

I normally create a lesson plan that develop the student skills yet keep them interested in wanting to learn more about music not just a whole lot of theory. I also believe, the best way is hands on work. (Practical learning) I keep the lesson interesting and the syllabus simple for learn whatever it is I'm teaching with homework for practice. I enjoy creating lesson plans that I read from other books and use the books to help demonstrate and support the lesson I'm teaching. and to follow the guidelines for teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion

I like to get to know the student as I am teaching so I create small breaks to get to know who I am teachign and their interest, so that I may taylor my lessons to the student. For beginning students I like to use essential elements books as a guide for their practice. For adults I try to find out their long term goals and taylor my lessons to gettimng them to reach that goal. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I love to teach my students the basic tools of what it takes to be a professional musician, whether or not they are into music as a hobby or as a serious profession. I currently play drums for the hit Broadway musical (non-union version) of Rock of Ages and when I'm not on the road; I'm teaching. I’m an avid columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine and I sing/play guitar for one of Chicago's best Nirvana tributes called Smells Like Nirvana. Read More

Instruments: Drums

In my many years of drumming, I have acquired a wide array of first hand experience. I have toured throughout the Midwest as well as Florida. I have participated in, and won, numerous solo competitions, and been an instructor of Summer Band Camps. I studied Jazz Drum Set Performance at North Central College. While there, I learned composition, improvisation, music theory, music history, ear training, and many other useful tools. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My lessons typically include warm up, stretch, book work and creative playing. My various warm ups include the open closed open technique with rudiments, great hands for a life time by the Tommy Igoe, and the rudimental Ritual by the late great Alan Dawson. The books I work from are rooted in jazz and pop but can be applied to anything in-between, with repetition as the key element. Mindfulness in the musical world (being aware of how your mind and body works best with your instrument) is something all of my students will learn to love and embrace as a tool for all areas of life, not just music performance. Read More