Drum Lessons Gaston County, NC

Instruments: Drums

I have been teaching oof and on for the last 20 years. I have been playing professionally for the last 27 years. I played in my high school marching band and in the symphonic orchestra. I studied under Tony Casselli and Tom Tehdran. I've been in a variety of bands from dinner/oldies bands to rock. My current studio has two drum sets and a DW practice pad set. I use some of the standard drum method books along with some of my own techniquies I've developed over the years. Read More

Instruments: Guitar, Drums, Mallet Percussion, Electric Guitar

What's important to me is that by the end of the day, they have learned something new, regardless of what it is. I maintain the pace of the students and I will make sure that they're learning at a comfortable rate. Usually I'll make sure that the goal for the lesson is obtainable and we can achieve. Then during the lesson we work through to reach that goal, and depending on the progress will then determine the pace of the next lesson. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My philosophy is that everyone benefits from music instruction, especially percussion. No matter whether one's goal is to be a professional musician, or one simply wants to try something new, almost everyone enjoys the act of music-making! Having said that, every individual is unique, and I work with each person to determine what works best for his or her desires and abilities. While one student may dive right into rudiments and reading, another may benefit best from relaxed, organic, and gradual activities that lead to a greater comfort with the learning experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Trumpet, Saxophone, Drums, Orchestral Percussion, Latin Percussion, Music, Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Trombone, Drums, Euphonium, French Horn, Tuba, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Music

  My teaching career began in college. I taught trombone lessons and was an instructor for the Hampton University Band Camp. In 2009 I became a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University. I also taught at an elementary school while I was in graduate school. After college I moved to North Carolina and became a band director on the middle school and high school level. My strongest skill is composition and arranging.  My works have been played on the middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional level.  This skill set includes jazz, popular music, classical, gospel, small ensembles, and large ensembles. Read More