Drum Lessons in Upper West Side, NY

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I am experienced professional mallet percussionist and bandleader with an emphasis on jazz and improvisation. In 2013, I was the first jazz vibraphonist be accepted in to The Juilliard School where I had the opportunity to mentor classical percussionists on how to improvise. Prior to Juilliard, I first attended Oklahoma City University studying music education/percussion performance. After studying for two years at OCU, I decided to transfer to Berklee College of Music to study with Ed Saindon and Dave Samuels, and to be closer to my mentor, Stefon Harris. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I began teaching before I attended Berklee College of Music, and have continued ever since. I teach out of my studio and travel to students homes as well. The main points of my lessons are to help you learn what you want to learn and correct any bad habits you might have. Primarily I want us to have fun together and learn in the process. I love listening to music with my students and checking out what interests you, along with recommending some listening choices. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students, I typically begin with a deep dive on rudimental studies and keyboard skills on drums and mallet percussion. I gradually introduce notation and music literacy tools to improve the students understanding of how the fundamentals of music interact with one another. I use a lot of rote teaching methods as well to take full advantage of how physical percussion and drums can be. I find that students interests will quickly guide me to making suggestions for different repertoire to take on as the student is ready. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe

For beginners I usually start them off with two books, Stick Control and Funky Primer. I then pair what they learn from those with real world examples and try to incorporate that into songs that they want to play. For more intermediate students we focus more on developing their musical vocabulary and all around versatility. We go more in depth on rudiments and using them around the kit. We also start covering music industry fundamentals and the skills they need to market themselves as a musician and how to put together or find a band to start gigging with! Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching experience started while in college. I began teaching a couple of students and friends private lessons. It was sparse but definitively gave me an good idea of how it was to be some sort of a coach to help find the "inner drummer" in my students. After graduating from Berklee, I stayed in Boston and taught drumset, percussion, and piano at the Boston School of Music. It was a much more formal way of teaching, and I enjoyed that experience very much, and it made me realize even more that teaching is very natural and rewarding to me--from the early stages of developing a curriculum, to carrying it out while making it fun and accessible,to seeing the students having fun playing live shows. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

1.Lessons should be interesting, easy to understand, and progressive while moving in step  with  curriculum goals, making us of current and traditional  books, multi media and real  time activities. 2. Some students respond more to one sense or another : sound, touch, sight.... hands on. use of computer methods to help. 3. Give bigger challenges to those that are exceptional. 4. Contemporary music is very exciting for symphonic or jazz band.  There is much music available for a young audience using current  movie and tv themes, African, Latin American & Brazilian & New Orleans rhythms as well as pop arrangements for concert band or jazz orchestra , march band &  percussion class . 5. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I teach all of my students how to read music as well as play by ear. I think both things are important. I focus on both technique and playing musically. Dynamics are something that many drummers ignore. To truly be a good drummer you must listen to the other instruments around you. Read More