Drum Lessons in Kendall Park, NJ

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Matt has been a professional musician since 1995. He has studied with Randy Knudsen, Dom Famularo, Al Miller, Ralph Peterson, Jr., John Riley, Carlos “Go-Go” Gomez and many other notable drummers and percussionists. He received a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 1999.  He can be heard on countless recordings featuring a wide variety of musical styles such as Jazz, Heavy Metal, Afro-Cuban folkloric, Afro-Latino Soul, R&B, Hop-Hop,  Rock, Folk, and everything in between! Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching approach is very relaxed and focused at the same time. I always strive to make every lesson motivating and fun, depending on the level and the interests of each student. Often times I like to discuss and converse with my students about parallel topics of life as analogies to create a more comprehensive and cohesive understanding of any given assignment or concept that the students are trying to achieve or learn. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music

I like to keep a weekly log in a notebook the student takes home or keeps. I have many books ranging from beginner to advance, for drums, percussion, and piano. Also beginner bass and guitar books. Technique, book work, and song work is how I prefer to split my lesson time. Breaking habits before they become bad ones! Books: The Real Book, Syncopation, Stick Control, etc...I have been teaching at The School of Rock for the past 5 years. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I believe a strong working knowledge of rudiments is fundamental to establishing good hand technique. I create arrangements combining rudiments to promote memorization and musicality. In addition, I teach four way coordination exercises, to develop bass drum consistency and promote general coordination skills. Students will also be introduced to different types of drum fills that progress into more challenging combinations using both hands and feet. Once a basic foundation in technique is established the student will be introduced to new music styles using pre-recorded play along tracks. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Music Djembe

In addition to my work with individual students, I have also made significant contributions to higher education. As an adjunct instructor at New York University, I took on the responsibility of drafting a comprehensive curriculum for my courses. This role not only honed my skills in curriculum development but also deepened my understanding of academic standards and the importance of a well-rounded music education. My curriculum design focused on integrating practical musicianship with theoretical knowledge, ensuring that students receive a balanced and enriching educational experience. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Passion, discipline and perseverance. Three key words to become a competent musician in a competitive industry as music is. Learned and mastered music training in Westchester Community College and put all that training into practice in the greatest city in the world, NYC. Have been performing in NYC for 10 years now and I can honestly say by not giving up, a whole new world opened up, opportunities I have never even dreamed before. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums

However, that's an intimidating road to stare down, when you're at the start! But the journey of learning music is all part of the fun. To help make this more palatable, I like to get to know the student a bit more, to understand what it is that they enjoy listening to, and why they like it. By incorporating material that they enjoy, and by keeping the environment of the lesson fun, safe, and comfortable, it's easy to give people the tools they need to really enjoy playing their instrument to their fullest potential. Read More