Drum Lessons in Darien, IL

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

Teaching music and percussion lies at the core of my career path. I have extensive experience in building curriculum and instructing in drum set, world/classical percussion, mallet percussion, music theory, and music history. My teaching career began in high school in my hometown of Sacramento, California when students from inside and outside of my high school band program asked me for lessons. This was a turning point in my life as I fell in love with teaching. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I've been playing drums for 48 years. I'm still enjoying the playing of drums, and searching for new knowledge on how to play better. I've toured and performed with great musicians. I've had the great opportunity to be a drum set clinician for Sabian Cymbals, Maxwell Drums, Aquarian Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks, and Trick Dum Pedals. Teaching a large group of drummers is great fun but I really enjoy the one on one interaction between student and teacher. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Latin Percussion Djembe

Nowadays, being all around percussionist and drummer requires presence of ability to adjust to every style of music. My idol, Steve Gadd, said,, Adjustments never stop!Opportunity of being a part of a NIU Jazz Orchestra thought me about Big Band concept in music, where also I performed on some outstanding Jazz Festivals like Chicago Jazz Festival and Peoria Jazz Festival. I gave a few masterclasses in Illinois area, in high schools. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a musician and a composer who values teaching music as one of the best jobs in the world. I started playing music at the age of 7. My parents enrolled me at a music school for kids to learn guitar (there wasn't a bass teacher at that school...) Having captured the basics, I switched to bass later and since then it is my primary instrument, which I combine with guitar and baritone guitar. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

For beginning students, I like to stress fundamentals with a twist. I encourage my students to play along with music they like to keep them interested in what they are practicing. As the student progresses, I will either compose a short solo or provide a short solo in which they can apply fundamentals to. For intermediate and more advanced students, I like to let them guide their own instruction. After coming to me with topics they'd like to learn more about, I will provide exercises, musical examples, and pieces to help them assimilate what they have learned with me, to real-world examples. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga

Seeing a student progress week-by-week is an exubertant experience. I encourage all of my students to be honest about what makes them inspired to play music and from there we work on capturing all of the components of that source of inspiration. What is so effective about this approach is that it blends both discipline and humanism. By critically examining our strengths and weaknesses in a musical context, we become better able to do the same in other areas of life. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard Djembe

For every instrument I teach, I always focus on tone primarily. To have whatever instrument the student is learning, be it drumset, piano, or voice, it is of utmost importance to me to have them re-sounding the whole body of the instrument with confidence, and with passion. When we start from this place, I then work on rudiments/scales, and aim to endow students with basic vocabulary, so that they may become fluent on their instruments. Read More