Drum Lessons in Upper West Side, NY

Instruments: Drums

For drummer, composer, and producer Layton Weedeman, rhythm is more than a foundation, its a language of connection. Across a two-decade career, the New Yorkbased artist has explored jazz, hip-hop, soul, and global traditions, with collaboration at the heart of his work. His latest venture, Yellow Couch Music, is both a recording project and a creative collective rooted in improvisation, mutual respect, and deep groove. Its a space for building music thats human, open, and emotionally resonant. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music

I started to teach in the second part of my career,when I came to New York,in 2001.I was teaching lessons to occasional students,whom I was acquiring after their visits at the basement where I used to practice,in Park Ave.After some years I realized I have a talent and a passion for teaching so I started to look for more students and while at it, I refined my teaching skills.Then I've found Musika,a great opportunity for me to establish my teaching activity in a professional and more consistent way.Today I've been teaching for them for about 4 years and my enthusiasm in seeing my students grow is bigger and bigger every season. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums

For young students, I would usually start them off using Bastien Piano Basics. It's very digestible, and gives a good starting-off point for both technical playing, and larger musical concepts as a whole. With a student who is older or perhaps more advanced, who has a solid grasp on technical proficiency and music theory, I would typically recommend studying specific pieces, starting with Classical, and eventually moving into Jazz. I feel that following a chronological study of music is one of the best ways to become a well-rounded, versatile player who feels comfortable approaching any material. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Latin Percussion Keyboard

I was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, I have a degree in Jazz performance from the City College of New York (B.Mus.), and recently graduated from a M.Mus. at William Paterson University on a full academic scholarship. My undying love for the music has taken me from Colombia to Canada, and to New York City, and granted me the opportunity to share the stage with world-class musicians like Al Foster, Will Vinson, Pat LaBarbera, Steve Wilson, Marco Panascia, and Jonathan Kreisberg among many others. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For beginning students of any age, I focus a lot on technique and building good habits. I will always use Stick Control by G.L. Stone, which has great material for a beginner drummer/percussionist. This is a stage where I will lightly introduce concepts of beat, tempo and rhythm, to help establish a musical vocabulary. Once I've determined that they have a good grasp of time and rhythm, I slowly begin to introduce rudiments and reinforce them lesson by lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Keyboard

After teaching for 12 years I don't have a fixed method. I have categories of students, from children who are trying to function in a band setting, to children who are trying to develop a musical or compositional talent. I take particular joy in teaching adults who believe it is too late to achieve levels of technical proficiency that would make them proud. My journey from classical music to jazz through pop, swing, rock, soul and folk has taught me how to blend in with any style, and my classical education has given me the necessary toolbox to communicate about advanced theoretical concepts with students who are interested. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The electric guitar quickly became a part of my identity, a part of my security, and has remained as a stable force in my life. I've been lucky to have a diverse professional musical career, studying jazz at SUNY New Paltz, nationally touring in a Zydeco Punk band, fronting my own band of originals, singing and playing guitar in rock musicals, and composing soundtracks. All while keeping up my teaching practice. Read More