Drum Lessons in River Forest, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Recorder Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

my teaching style is fun and fast. as each student progresses at their own pace. it is very important to set realistic goals. i motivate kids by giving them stickers for each exercise they passed. and that allows them to study and practice more. after they finish a method book, they receive a certificate of achievement. i can successfully guide students thru any challenges they go thru in the music learning process. that gives them the motivation to keep going. i teach them discipline and to have a consistent practicing schedule. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I have loved music from a very early age and I have been fortunate to study a variety of instruments and musical styles. I grew up studying the drums, piano, guitar, voice, and songwriting. I have been in a cover bands, original bands, jazz bands, choirs, a country band, a steel drum band, marching band, opera, a pop orchestra, a hip hop ensemble, and musical theatre productions. In college I took my studies further by learning music theory and aural skills while still performing in ensembles and writing lots of music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As a teacher, I believe one of my greatest responsibilites is to foster a love and care for music. If the student is not caring about music,then why are they studying? How will they progress? The best students are the ones who teach themselves. I can show the student the door, but he or she must walk through it. My second greatest responsibility is to teach the craft of music - including all the disciplines it needs. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience dates back to my Sophomore year of college when I was asked to come back to my local high school (of which I only attended two years before transferring to study music exclusively at the Chicago Academy for the Arts) to help instruct the indoor winter percussion ensemble and outdoor marching band ensemble (drum line and front percussion ensemble). There I gained a great amount of experience working with passionate students and was able to help them achieve their individual goals, as well as overall ensemble goals (ex. playing as a unit). Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

As I mentioned previously, I find it very important that every student be approached from an individual, customized standpoint. However, I do find it important that every student has a strong basis in fundamentals and sound quality so that they have a strong foundation which they can then build upon. For beginning students, I will typically start them with rudiments and eventually work them into a mix of published and improvised solos to foster both technical progress and artistic creativity. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

I use humor and my own experiences to first establish a caring environment in which the student can be comfortable. Once that connection is established, I like to find out the students interests and make sure a personal goal is set that we can achieve together. There has to be something exciting the student can achieve in order to develop self-motivation. I employ a number of tactics to stimulate self-expression and problem solving skills, as independent work and practice is crucial in any musician's journey. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

It is very rewarding to see my students develop a passion for music and excel at their craft. Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, i can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More