Drum Lessons in Hamilton Heights, NY

Instruments: Drums

I love to interact with students and help them achieve their personal goals. As mentioned previously, I believe its really important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this concept by working to set achievable goals for my students. Also I work to better understand and find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. There are certain ideas and concepts that generally apply to all musical styles and I do try to introduce these in a variety of ways based on the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

I've been teaching all kids and adults for over 15 years. I 'm awesome with kids (so the parents have told me!)... I don't adhere to any rigid format. I work with what level and progression suits you, and I'm super-easy to get along with. Also, I believe in positive reinforcement. There are some old school teachers who sometimes degrade a pupil when they're not doing an exercise correctly. I don't teach like it's the ancient Roman Byzantine era, where teachers would slap a student's hand with a riding crop! Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar

I have taught privately on and off throughout my career in many different iterations. I bring a unique set of skills to the table as far as teaching is concerned, because I was totally self taught, learning very organically-listening and playing along to records, playing in bands-then went to music school at UGA and learned a more formal approach to how drums are taught. I then became immersed in many different scenes and learned very much 'on the job' playing tons of different styles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have always found great joy in student success. I have dedicated my career to the cultivation of my teaching style and methods. I have coached students for auditions into the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College division among other prestigious honors. I find that seeing the joy my students take in performing their hard work has come to define my approach. I center teaching on a goal oriented system that allows students to make progress toward small and large goals. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I emphasize the importance of building confidence and competence on the drums. Many times, new drummers are hard on themselves or put unnecessary pressure on themselves to be good immediately, which can actually limit their progress. I have always enjoyed helping students circumvent this unnecessary pressure, so that the process of learning how to play drums remains fun and rewarding unto itself and becomes less overly focused on the final product. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Music Djembe

My teaching philosophy is rooted in fostering both technical proficiency and creative expression. To achieve this, I employ a combination of established techniques and personalized approaches: Using the George L. Stone stick control book as a foundational tool, I promote limb independence and improve technical skills. This classic method helps students develop precise control and coordination, essential for any percussionist. Understanding that each student is unique, I create customized exercises that cater to their individual strengths and areas for improvement. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Drums Mallet Percussion

I am a recent graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and a second major concentration in Philosophy. I have had the honor and privilege to perform all over the world including New York City, Montreal, Berlin, and Tanglewood. Before college, I attended Juilliard's Pre-college division for 2 years. I mainly study and play classical, but I have frequently played with Latin, Rock and Jazz bands. Read More