Drum Lessons in Falls Village, CT

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

2011-2012: Teaching Assistant, San Jose State University 2010-present: Piano, percussion, and voice teacher with Musika 2010: Substitute accompanist at Willow Glen United Methodist Church 2008-2009: Accompanist for James Lick High School 2007-present: Organist/Pianist for Santa Teresa Hills Presbyterian Church 2006-7: Accompanist for Scotts Valley Unified School District 2005-2006: Accompanist and Teaching Assistant with Cabrillo Youth Choir 2005: Composer and Percussionist for "Oedipus Rex," Cabrillo Stage; Substitute Accompanist at St. Joseph's Church in Capitola, California 2004: Accompanist with the Santa Cruz Summer Singers 2003: Teaching Assistant for History of Western Art Music, University of California, Santa Cruz 2000-2001: Teaching Assistant and Tutor in music theory, musicianship, piano, and world music studies at Cabrillo College 1998: Began working as a freelance piano teacher and keyboard player Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion

My teaching experience spans back to when I was in High School. I came from a very fortunate music program that focused heavily on marching band and jazz music. I had helped many incoming freshmen develop the skills necessary to succeed in the music program and watched them blossom into very talented, hard working musicians. After high school I continued to teach students and help them prepare for outside ensemble auditions, college auditions, and working on college repertoire with fellow students. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For materials I use the following; Vic Firth Snare Drum Method, Rudimental Swing Solos, Art of Bop Drumming, Brazilian Rhythms for Drumset, Afro-Cuban Rhythms for Drumset, Syncopation, Rudimental Ritual, Tables of Time and Music Minus One. Each book focuses on sight reading, coordination and musical styles. Outside of reading materials, I always give my students music to listen to and recordings to play along to. Playing and listening to recordings provides a musical context for what we're learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

We begin by playing simply and slowly on the snare drum, focusing on stickings, control, dynamics, technique and mechanics, move the rhythms around the kit in common patterns, add bass drum and sometimes HiHat support. Meanwhile, common rock/funk/pop grooves are introduced and combined with the rhythmic exercises to achieve fluidity to playing rock repertoire. The same process is used with Triplet meter as jazz and blues styles are developed, then with world music contexts, Bossa Nova, Samba, Baiao, etc. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Conga

I have been teaching since 1977. I have studied with the late, great Tony Williams and Alan Dawson, Fred Buda, Ed Soph and composition with Steve Grover. I have taught private lessons, small group ensembles, elemntary music theory, orchestral percussion and voice coaching. I have taught in public schools, private prep schools and college. I have performed in the United States and Germany and the Netherlands. I have recorded with Tiger Akoshi, David Mallett and The Novel Jazz Septet. Read More

Instruments: Flute Drums Orchestral Percussion

I believe that the key to a student's success in music is being motivated by passion. That is why I like to tailor each student's learning experience to their own individual interests, allowing them to press forward with the particular source of inspiration that motivates them to learn. It is a healthy combination of focus and enjoyment that results in the most enriching learning experience, which is why I make sure every exercise I assign a student comes with an understanding of the distinct purpose and goal of the exercise. Read More

Instruments: Drums

No matter how young the student is, learning how to play an instrument and read music is invaluable. I help my younger students prepare for middle school and high school level orchestra, and my older students for college music auditions and solo pieces. With my adult students I help them schedule music in their busy lives. There is no reason to put off playing an instrument if it's something you always wanted to do. Read More