Drum Lessons in Phoenix, AZ

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

Having studied music at Indiana University under George Gaber, The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago under James Dutton, and famed Ludwig Drum Company Clinician and National Champion Frank Arsenault, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Fort Hays State University.                                                                                                                                                                               His unique approach to teaching drum set and snare drum,combines amazing speed, precision, power, passion, musicianship, emotion and melodic/harmonic innovations that stem from his life-long composing/arranging experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Mitch’s former students include university department heads, and professional players, teachers, and performers including internationally known U. of Kentucky professor James Campbell (former PAS president and caption head of the Cavaliers), Classical/Innovative Percussionist Mike Lorenz, Mike Mann (former caption head of the Phantom Regiment) Rob Carson (National Snare Drum Champion), Steve Fagiano, (IL State Snare Drum Champion), Rick Beckham (National Senior Snare Drum Champion), Dean Kranzler (Ft. Hays State U.), Mark Schnose and Jeff Sallee, Inventors of the LP “Cube” Shakers, Chris Crockarell of Row-Loff Publications and others.                                                                                                                                                                                    Mitch first developed his international reputation in percussion, as a clinician and educational representative for the Ludwig Drum Company. He has taught and performed at major universities throughout the United States including Indiana University, Ohio State University, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the University of Wisconsin, and Northwestern University. He was also a featured clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Columbus Ohio & Nashville Tennessee.                                                                                                                                                                                                              A "Teacher’s Teacher", he loves to help students lay the musical and technical foundations that will let them reach their full potential. He headed the percussion department at FortHaysState  University in Kansas for eight years. Mitch performed and taught at the International Festival of Percussive Arts and lectured at the International Percussion Congress in Warsaw Poland. He was a guest lecturer at the Fredrick Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and did an exciting multi-city tour as featured soloist with the Polish National Military Band and Performed for the Polish/U.S. Embassy. While in Poland he also performed concerts, clinics and taught master classes at the Jelania-Gora Philharmonia Complex and Warsaw.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              In the drum & bugle corps field, he marched with the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers,and has taught, written, or consulted for the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers, the National Champion Chicago Royal Airs, the National Champion Argonne Rebels From Great Bend Kansas, the Santa Clara Vanguard, the 2002 Royal Air Reunion corps and many others.

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Ukulele Recorder

25 years in classroom, 20 years private lessons and lots of performance experience. Teaching is a skill that requires patience, as well as a fundamental way of breaking down steps so that the student can understand how something is done and make them successful.

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Euphonium French Horn Tuba Mallet Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn

I am dedicated, persistent, and reliable. I am willing to learn and keep learning for the advancement of myself and my students. A well-rounded appreciation for music as well as critical listening and ear-training skills will be taught.  I also maintain a pretty fast paced lesson enabling the student to have plenty of practice material, tasks to accomplish, and goals to meet. I will record the student's progress electronically so that the student may better understand and realize their progression. I want to inspire my students through my positive influence and encouragement through each lesson of musical discovery.

Instruments: Drums

I have taken lessons on piano first, then drums through grammar school, High School, and College. I majored in Music at Lane Tech High School in Chicago and have a Bachelors Degree in Applied Music from De Paul University. I studied with Al Payson who is a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 4 years. I am familiar with all types of percussion including marimba, vibes, tympani, snare drum, etc. I have been playing drums my whole life in all styles including classical, jazz, rock, soul, latin, and country. I have also taught piano and drums for a number of years. I can teach any style at any level from beginners to advanced on snare drum or the entire drum set.