Drum Lessons Contra Costa County, CA

Instruments: Drums, Orchestral Percussion

Once I get an idea for my student's level based on the trial lesson, I build a curriculum specifically for their needs. I have a personal library of music and exercises that I cater to needs of each individual. I do my best to always keep in mind the specific goals of my student whether they are studying to develop skills for school bands/orchestra, marching band, recitals, real world gigs and auditions, or just for fun! Read More

Instruments: Piano, Drums

For beginning piano students, I start them with a variety of materials, beginning with John Thompson's piano books, along with stanzas of finger exercises to develop dexterity. But more importantly for me, is that I understand that people, especially now, want to start playing songs as soon as possible. So, I immediately teach them chords and scales. Weekly, I introduce a new one so they get comfortable and then get them used to moving from chord to chord. Read More

Instruments: Guitar, Drums, Bass Guitar, Conga, Latin Percussion, Electric Guitar, Djembe, Acoustic Guitar

Every single one of my lessons is individualized and focused on YOU and what YOU want to learn. Of course, there are things that I encourage such as posture and proper technique, among many others, yet I will always have a focus on MUSIC and helping you get to wherever you need to learn, not by theory alone but through putting what we learn into practice. I understand that some students want to learn the instruments themselves but without the context of how they function in music, I feel I would be doing them a disservice. 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

Instruments: Guitar, Drums

My first experience teaching came during my time on the high school drumline. My school couldn't afford to fund faculty to lead the drumline, so during my junior and senior years, I took on the role of teaching new students, some of whom had never even held a drumstick, to be performance-ready in a short amount of time. When I moved to Los Angeles for school in 2013, I began teaching drum and guitar lessons in my free time, to fellow UCLA students at first, then expanding to the greater Los Angeles community, teaching students as young as six. Read More