Drum Lessons Contra Costa County, CA

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Harmonica, Recorder, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Piccolo, Oboe, English Horn, Keyboard

I teach combination of the Suzuki method and the Hungarian style (stressing the natural, comfortable, painless, tension free method). For young students, the Suzuki method is great, since the repertoire is all fun! Also the CD that comes with every level is vital! Children enjoy and benefit from that. I am an audiophile, so I can set up students with a quality hifi system on the cheap - this is so vital in Suzuki method, as he stated in his book, Nurtured With Love. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching experince dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time 15 years ago, and have been consistently teaching private include in Yamaha Music School. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Since, I have played for multiple different artists, on multiple major record labels. I have also worked with some of the world's leading producers, the men behind songs you hear every day on the radio, as a studio drummer and/or bass player. Artists ranging from Aly AJ on Disney Channel to spaced-out mixed symphonic electronica with Paul Oakenfold, the English DJ legend. Though my time so far in LA, I have had the chance to aquaint myself with many other backing band musicians, for other artists or shows, from lead-guitarist Rafael Moreira (NBC The Voice, Pink, Christina Aguilera) and the guys gigging with Chris Cornell, to the younger rhythm section for Macy Gray. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students who are children, I typically like to start with a "call and response/listen and play" approach that involves me playing short rhythmic ideas and having the student play them back. It keeps the student engaged and having fun and leaves them wanting to play the instrument. I strongly believe in recreational lessons for the young beginning student! I then do more "by the book" instruction as the student matures and becomes more interested in the inner workings of drumming and music. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Organ, Synthesizer, Harp, Accordion, Harmonica, Lap Steel Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin, Recorder, Lute, Electric Violin, Fiddle, Double Bass, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Shakuhachi, Oboe, Bassoon, English Horn, Conga, Latin Percussion, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Djembe, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

He is featured on the John Daversa Big Band's latest studio album, "American Dreamers". As a grad student at Miami, Derek was a guest lecturer in Jazz Pedagogy courses and guest conducted the Frost Studio Jazz Band. He has been a member of the Jazz Education Network since 2013 and the International Trombone Association since 2014. His teachers include Vern Kagarice, Jan Kagarice, Tony Baker, Steve Wiest, Andre Hayward, and Dante Luciani. Read More