Drum Lessons in Rolling Hills Estates, CA

Instruments: Piano Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga

During college, a woman and her son saw a Jazz combo show I played drum set in and after the set, She asked me if I would teach her son. I agreed. I taught her son for a year. Sadly, they moved away but the word spread and the next year I had two more students. It contuied that way as I progressed in college my teaching improved. When I moved to California in 1997, I had seven students to teach on the weekends. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Acoustic Guitar

When I'm not performing, I keeps himself busy with his teaching schedule by teaching throughout Orange and LA County. As of this updated bio due to COVID-19 (Nov. 2020), I have been doing a hybrid format of teaching, primarily through Zoom with some in person instruction while maintaining orders of social distancing and wearing masks. I'm currently on faculty at Santiago Canyon College, Santa Ana College, Neal Music Instruction in Anaheim, WePlay Music in Irvine, and La Serna High School in Whittier. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

My teaching experience dates back to when I was a student at the Los Angeles High School for the Arts. While pursuing my own education I also had five private drum students ranging from the ages of 7-15. I am fortunate enough to have learned a great deal about teaching all different ages from my father, who has been a private guitar teacher for over 35 years. During my time at Berklee College of Music, I taught group clinics and while our tour with the Karen Lovely Band I mentored mentally handicapped music students in the Netherlands with a group called United By Music. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I began teaching younger kids in my high school that were also starting to play in bands. I learned very quickly just how much experience I already had gathered to provide insight to people who were just a few years behind me in skill level. Over the course of my college and post college years I've had the opportunity to teach rosters of students ages 5-50. There is nothing more fulfilling then having a chance to connect on an educational and creative level, with an individual, and watching them progress to a point where they can feel a sense of fulfillment in the work that they put in. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Djembe

My students see me repeatedly for years and they know that I only ask them to do their best, and they recognize when they fall short. I talk to my kids like adults, and they respond maturely. They are aware that I have my own drumming goals and that their progress is NOT the absolute most important thing on my list. This keeps them motivated. My lessons are more demanding then other teachers, and although my methods seem tough, I am constantly surprised of the many invitations I get to my students' performances, plays, sports games, birthday parties, thanksgiving dinners, etc. Read More

Instruments: Drums

The most important goal to me when teaching anyone of any level is to have them leave feeling like they've actually learned something. I feel as a teacher that the students wants and needs are paramount and should be treated as such. I like to work with whatever pace they're comfortable with and do my best to accommodate them with what they may want out of drumming. I like a laid back, welcome atmosphere with absolutely no judgement in said atmosphere and always be supportive of the student making progress in their endeavors. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Djembe

I typically use a lot from my marching band days to get students warmed up and really fine tune their technique and coordination. From there it truly depends on the student's goals and skill levels. I like to work on specific songs the student wants to learn or use other pieces that apply directly to what the student is trying to achieve. From there I break everything down to the basics and slowly build upon that. Read More