Drum Lessons in Tracyton, WA

Instruments: Drums

I prefer lessons to be focused on a curriculum, however customized it may be, as I have found that approach to be the most efficient, especially with younger players.While I believe that it is very important to learn the fundamentals of drumming (as learned largely through a curriculum approach), I also believe that some of the most rewarding experiences a student can have may be achieved through realizing their own unique creative potential. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

I love teaching percussion and I am interested in music of many cultures. I specialize in drum set, African drumming, keyboard percussion, and orchestral percussion. I also play steel drums and guitar. I have performed with numerous professional orchestras including the Tacoma, Federal Way, Tucson, Phoenix, and Juneau symphonies and was the principal percussionist and timpanist for the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra in Arizona. I have a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion Performance with a minor in Ethnomusicology. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I've been teaching music, in some capacity, since I was 17 and captain of my highschool's drumline. In college I taught drumset lessons to students of all ages and in graduate school I taught a music theory course for 5 semesters as well as classical percussion to 6th - 8th graders. Getting to know my students, what they like and don't like, what they read and listen to, is one of my favorite things and I think it really helps engender a life long passion for music when a teacher takes a personal interest in the students lives. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

In addition to the recording and performing experience listed above, I've been a full-time private lessons instructor since 2010. I've taught at countless local schools, but found that the freedom of teaching completely independently (or, at most, through a referral program like Musika) can't be beat. The more of my *own* students I have, the more I can focus on each one, and the more time I have to plan out their progress. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For my beginning drum students, I use Mark Wessels "A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum and Drum Set", Rod Morganstein's "drum set musician", and Mitchell Peters' "Developing Dexterity". For students that have a good grasp of the basics, I work through material that caters to their specific interests (jazz, rock, latin, West-African, orchestral/school band, or marching percussion). I also write original etudes for my students based on their needs and include a midi accompaniment to motivate students to work on their assigned material. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I start most beginning students (and evaluate more advanced ones) on snare drum or practice pad. This is a central instrument to the percussion family and most techniques used on other percussion instruments are based on sound snare drum technique.  I like the Alfred Drum Method book for students just starting out regardless of age as the ability to read and understand written music is important no matter what stylistic path one follows. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

My lessons are designed to fit each student's level and area of interest. For example, if a student wants to learn how to play blues piano, I'll assign him exercises to compliment learning that idiom, i.e. scales, chords and rhythm patterns. people learn best when they are interested in at that moment. I use the same philosophy teaching drums and trumpet. Specific methods are tailored to the student's current ability and age. Read More