Music Lessons in Temecula, CA

Instruments: Conga Music Djembe

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of three major milestones in my career. First, having the privilege of playing for The Sam Morrison Band for 26 years has been an incredible journey. Being part of a band for that long is rare in this industry, and I take great pride in the music we’ve created, the miles we’ve traveled, and the fans we’ve connected with along the way. Second, winning a Bronze Telly Award in 2009 for my instructional DVD, The School of Hard Rocks, was a huge honor. That project was all about sharing my passion for drumming and helping others grow as musicians, so receiving recognition for it meant a lot to me. Lastly, having over *25 albums to my credit* is something I’m extremely proud of. Each recording represents countless hours of hard work, creativity, and collaboration, and I’m grateful to have been a part of so many projects over the years. These accomplishments remind me why I fell in love with drumming in the first place, and they continue to fuel my passion for music every day.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
I always tell my students that consistency is key when it comes to practicing. It’s far better to practice for a short amount of time every day than to cram in an hour-long session once a week. Practicing this way is much like studying for a test—if you try to learn everything in one long session, you won’t retain nearly as much as you would by spreading it out over time. Daily practice, even if it’s just 10–20 minutes, helps build muscle memory, improve coordination, and reinforce concepts in a way that sticks. It keeps your hands and feet moving, your mind engaged, and your progress steady. When you practice every day, you’re constantly reinforcing what you’ve learned, making it easier to build on your skills instead of feeling like you’re starting over every time you sit down at the kit. Drumming is all about repetition and control, and regular, focused practice, even in small doses, will lead to far better results than a single long session once a week. The key is quality over quantity, staying consistent, and making sure you’re always working on something with purpose.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I can usually tell if a child is ready to start drum lessons if they know their right from their left, although if they don’t, I can certainly help with that too! Having a basic understanding of left and right is important for coordinating hands and feet on the drum set. Additionally, some basic math skills, like simple counting, go a long way in helping a young student grasp rhythm and timing. One of the great things about learning music is that it naturally strengthens math skills. Counting beats, subdividing rhythms, and understanding time signatures all reinforce concepts like fractions and pattern recognition. Many studies have shown a strong connection between music education and improved math abilities, and I see it firsthand with my students. Drumming isn’t just about playing beats, it’s about developing a strong sense of timing, problem-solving, and coordination, all of which have benefits beyond music.

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