Drum Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

Instruments: Drums

I emphasize technique for beginning students. I call attention to hand and finger control, and offer a number of exercises develop the muscles needed to play fluidly. I teach a few levels of the rudiments, and show students the opening pages of the famous George Stone book, Stick Control for the Modern Drummer. From there, I work with students on drum rolls, groves and fills. My approach to drumming is to be as innovative as possible. Read More

Instruments: Drums Ukulele

2004-2007 marched world championships in WGI with Black Knights and Pulse Percussion 2006 Marched the Rose Parade as a tenor drummer. 2015 - Awarded a plaque from Los Angeles City Counsel for teaching Madison Middle School, becoming State Champs. 2016-2018 Taught Madison Middle School drumline and got them to be 4-peat State Champs. Ive written a lot of original music materials for students as well and many of my past students graduated becoming a top honor in their class. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I like my students to work on their performance personas, as well as technique and repertoire. I want my students to be engaged and excited about the music they are working on and to practice performing it like the rock star they are! Read More

Instruments: Drums

I take each student's personal goal and gear their lessons toward this goal. By giving each student a realistic short term goal that feeds into their ultimate aspiration on the drums, they will get to see the progress they are making and are encouraged to keep practicing and improving. I use a mix of different instructional texts depending on what we are working on, and will sometimesprovide custom made exercises for a student if needed. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

In grade school, my commitment and knowledge in music continued to grow through my immersion in honors ensembles, wind ensembles, marching bands, jazz bands, local garage bands, and a percussion ensemble with two national titles (Woodbridge Percussion Ensemble). In the years following, I became an active musician in the San Diego/Southern California area performing in various styles and settings: jazz, rock, pop, hip-hop, Funk/Soul/RB, Christian/praise music, Latin American (Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, Caribbean), electronic/EDM, Broadway, marching, orchestral, and avant-garde. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More