Drum Lessons in Oyster Bay, NY

Instruments: Drums

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have two degrees in music, one in Drum Set Performance and another in Music Business with a focus in Management. I chose these degrees because I felt they went hand in hand with what my goals are in life. As a performer, you have to know all aspects of the music industry in order to insure that you are going to be treated fairly, and make a living. My coupling a performance degree with a business degree I learned how to market bands, run social media campaigns, and I learn many, many aspects of the industry that I have found to be more valuable that my ability to perform in some ways.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
If I weren't a musician I would be a theologist. I have always had a fascination for religion, I have spent time reading many holy texts and studying religions from across the world. This is because I don't truly understand religion, it is something that I have found I cannot accept, but I have infinite respect for those who do believe. Religion is a beautiful aspect of life that, at it's core, gives hope for humanity and teaches us to love and respect each other no matter our difference. I wish I were able to believe in something like this, but I try and take the philosophies behind the religion and apply them to my every day life in whatever way I can.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
My favorite genre of music is fusion. Often this genre is defined by a certain era in music and only a couple of different genres. I believe that fusion music is all around us, and is slowly becoming the norm. As we move into a more globalized community we are exposed to more cultures and more kinds of music. As such it is very common to hear defining characteristics of say latin or middle eastern, in modern day pop songs. These ideas can be very subtle or extremely obvious. It is the way that music brings us together that has led to this, in my opinion.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Music does not run in my family. My parents were in finance and microbiology, and they had two sons who then both went into the arts. But there was anything but a lack of culture and music in my home. My father had dreams of being a chef as a child and would always create these culinary master pieces that could only be described as art. He would expose us to art, music, culture, in any way that he could. I found that this created a very unique mentality for myself. I approach music from an artists perspective, while still being grounded with reality, in a way that can so easily be lost when you're involved with the arts.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I decided to become a professional musician while I was a sophomore in high school. That decision, just like the decision to start to play the drums was met with resistance from my family, although for many different reasons. When I first approached my father about going to study music in college he told me, "I don't think that's a very good idea, you should think about studying law or medicine, and keep music as a hobby." I heard him, I thought about it for a long time, and decided that I couldn't do that. So a year later I brought it up again and received the same response as a junior in high school, and again for a third time as I was starting my senior year. At this point I said to him that I was going to pursue music, with or without his permission, and if that meant that I had to take out loans and pay the entire way myself then I would do that. This is a moment I will always remember, because after that my father told me that he was jealous of me, and that he wished that he had the same courage I had when he was my age. Then he started to encourage me to pursue this, and when he saw that I was accepted to Berklee, his tune changed very quickly.

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