Drum Lessons in Thornton, IL

Instruments: Drums

The exciting part of teaching is when the students eyes are opened to the possibilities that are in front of them. I'm so lucky that I get to share that with them. Understanding is the key to momentum so it is up to me that each student sees what I see. Then the fun really begins. Teaching has been an exceptional gift for me to share. Every student of mine will achieve and succeed because they see how much fun it is to play. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching in my first year of college when I started working for a company that organized after school programs for hundreds of schools across the Chicagoland area. With this company, I taught many group guitar classes for almost 4 years. In this time, I taught hundreds of students and I learned that each individual student is different and must be treated as such. After leaving this company in 2017, I began teaching full time at a private school for grades JK-4th. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I'm an experienced performer and private instructor. I graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies/Performance. I have had the privilege to perform with the top EIU Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo with legendary guest artists such as Jason Marsalis, Vanessa Rubin, and Andy Martin. I have experience in performing different styles of music such as jazz, jazz fusion, rock, funk, and blues. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

Every student comes at a different level, no matter what age they are. For younger students who are just beginning, I feel like it is my job to first and foremost get them excited about playing the drums. I find it to be difficult to teach anything if the student dimply does not want to be there because they do not have a good relationship with the instrument. Once I feel the student is excited and ready, I usually introduce the "Progressive Steps to Syncopation for the Modern Drummer." This book is important for building skills in reading music, ear training, and general funky rhythms! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard

I began teaching in my sophomore year of high school. I was asked to be a student teacher at the summer camps hosted at the School of Rock Chicago. I learned a great deal as I taught rock songs to kids of all ages, prepared them to record original music, and helped direct their performance. I fell in love with the process of engaging a students learning style and figuring out how to relate to each student as an individual. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

For beginning students and youth, I typically start with music theory and proper positioning. I have found an easy method for playing songs almost immediately. For students that desire sight reading as a priority, I will start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and walk them through exercises that will keep them sharp and focused. For adults, I want to learn their goal and their niche. I will structure my course around their needs. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students, I generally start with basic fundamentals and technique exercise to create a foundation to build off of. Because the drum set is such a physical instrument, we need to make sure that all motions used to play are correct, and not detrimental to both the students playing and growth, but also to prevent injuries due to muscle stress and fatigue. More advanced students' lessons are very individualized. Read More