Drum Lessons in Westfield, NJ

Instruments: Piano Drums

On piano, for beginner students, I often start them on some of the primer level method books, either from the Faber and Faber "Piano Adventures" series or the Alfred beginning piano series and then transition to having the students learn music they want to learn and are excited about playing. I often will make custom transcriptions/arrangements of songs my students like that are especially designed for their skill level. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I taught my first private lesson my junior year of high school, and never stopped. Throughout college and graduate school I have taught dozens of students of all ages, raging between 5 years old and 50. Private lessons in students homes, my own space, and at several different music schools, including CJC music, and the All Children's art Center in Boonton. I encourage my students to be creative during their practice sessions and to become their own musican, but at the same time I strongly encourage a very strong technical foundation. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experience dates back to when I was back in Brazil, teaching privately young students and also adults. Here in New York, I have been teaching privately as well as writing various articles to drum magazines such as Modern Drummer Magazine, Drum! and recently I have a column in Drumhead Magazine called Brazilian Beat. I am a very all around drummer and teacher being exposed, researched and performed many different styles of music, not only Brazilian enabling me to pass along some knowledge in many different types of music. Read More

Instruments: Voice Trumpet Drums

I also do audition prep for students preparing for performing arts schools. For my adult students, I encourage them to enter competitions and audition for bands. With all my students my motto is, If they do not learn the way that I teach, then I will teach the way that they will learn! Music is fun, its expressive, and most of all its art and any student with me of any age will enjoy the musical pedigogial journey they embark on with me as their instructor! 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: Drums

I started teaching private lessons back in the day when I was living in my country, the Dominican Republic. I had students of different ages and with different interests. Also, before I moved to the United States, I taught for almost a year in a private music school in my country. In that school, I had the opportunity to teach Drums to very young kids, and for me it was a great and fun experience to teach those kids back in those days. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I am a professional drummer/composer/educator living in NYC. I grew up in Dallas, Texas and began playing classical piano at age 4. I was given a drumset when I was 9 and switched to drums full time when I was 11. After high school, I attended University of North Texas to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Performance. In 2011, I moved to Brooklyn to perform full time. I later decided to go back to school and completed my Master of Arts degree in Music Performance at City College of New York. Read More