Drum Lessons in Rolling Hills, CA

Instruments: Drums

I have taught the drums in a variety of settings for 15 years. In Australia I worked for the South Australian Government in the Instrumental Music Service for 3 years. I provided group drum lessons to students ranging from elementary to senior high school age with a total of 40 lessons each week, at 10 different schools to over 100 students! While in this role, I also coordinated ensembles and concert bands and also established a music program at a juvenile detention centre. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to mix instructional books with opportunities to learn songs outside of the text books appropriate to the student's interests, style, and skill level. For the guitar, I like Terry Carter's Rock Like the Pros, Beginning Class Guitar Method and Intermediate Class Guitar Method. These books have comprehensive practice exercises, including classical and popular music exercises, and great songs of all levels to learn. The Mel Bay and Alfred music method books are also great for guitar or drums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

My teaching style is fast-paced, fun, and engaging. I integrate many musical styles and genres, from pop to classical to give my students a wide array of musical experiences. I believe in positive reinforcement and prioritize a student's social-emotional learning. Through music, my students will learn about the world, their community, and themselves. I focus on growth and not benchmarks to assess the success of my students. I also gig regularly on both instruments, allowing my students to have ample opportunities to watch me play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My first emphasis is that you have to like what you're playing. I really try to focus on what music gets the student excited. For some of them, it comes quickly. Others it might take a while, and that is okay. Once I find the switch that engages the student's interest, that is my focus. I really emphasize getting students to read music and also understand the key components of music theory, so that they understand what it is they are playing. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I have been teaching for about 6 years and my students cover a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Everyone comes in with their own goals and I try as best I can to tailor our lesson experience around that. Percussion/Drumming is a unique instrument or set of instruments that lends itself to so many different genres and musical spheres, which makes the trajectory of our specific lessons unique. Almost every student will learn the basics of rudimental drumming and learning basic notation but what keeps students engaged and wanting to practice is playing something that they enjoy and want to play. Read More

Instruments: Voice Cello Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

My approach is "Music as a support for life." We learn beyond the technical foundations but also about the intention of an author-composer in order to give a genuine rendition true to the intended emotion. Each student is treated as a unique individual and are brought to rise to the challenges they gave themselves with my caring passion for the art of music making and my respect for the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More