Mitch M
Instruments: Drums, Orchestral Percussion
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&b, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera, Latin, Showtunes, Spirituals, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band

Having studied music at Indiana University under George Gaber, The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago under James Dutton, and famed Ludwig Drum Company Clinician and National Champion Frank Arsenault, I received my Bachelor of Music Degree from Fort Hays State University.                  My unique approach to teaching drum set and snare drum, combines amazing speed, precision, power, passion, musicianship, emotion and melodic/harmonic innovations that stem from my life-long composing/arranging experience.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               My former students include university department heads, and professional players, teachers, and performers including internationally known U. of Kentucky professor James Campbell (former PAS president and caption head of the Cavaliers), Classical/Innovative Percussionist Mike Lorenz, Mike Mann (former caption head of the Phantom Regiment) Rob Carson (National Snare Drum Champion), Steve Fagiano, (IL State Snare Drum Champion), Rick Beckham (National Senior Snare Drum Champion), Dean Kranzler (Ft. Hays State U.), Mark Schnose and Jeff Sallee, Inventors of the LP “Cube” Shakers, Chris Crockarell of Row-Loff Publications and others.                                        I first developed his international reputation in percussion, as a clinician and educational representative for the Ludwig Drum Company. He has taught and performed at major universities throughout the United States including Indiana University, Ohio State University, the University of Southern California, the University of Texas, the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the University of Wisconsin, and Northwestern University. He was also a featured clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Conventions in Columbus Ohio & Nashville Tennessee.                                                                                                                                                                                                              A "Teacher’s Teacher", I love to help students lay the musical and technical foundations that will let them reach their full potential. I headed the percussion department at FortHaysState  University in Kansas for eight years, and have performed and taught at the International Festival of Percussive Arts and lectured at the International Percussion Congress in Warsaw Poland. I was a guest lecturer at the Fredrick Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and did an exciting multi-city tour as featured soloist with the Polish National Military Band and Performed for the Polish/U.S. Embassy. While in Poland I also performed concerts, clinics and taught master classes at the Jelania-Gora Philharmonia Complex and Warsaw.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              In the drum & bugle corps field, I marched with and taught the National Champion Chicago Cavaliers, and I've taught, written, or consulted for the National Champion Chicago Royal Airs, the National Champion Argonne Rebels From Great Bend Kansas, the Santa Clara Vanguard, the 2002 Royal Air Reunion corps and many others.

I personalize every lesson to the interests and ability of the student. I make everything very easy and understandable no matter what the playing level of the student. I teach the secrets that enabled me to become 3 Time U.S. National Champion, and lay a unique solid foundation so students can reach their full potential as musicians no matter how high their goals.