About
Carlos is dedicated to educating and enriching the lives of my students through professional level music education. It is important that our students understand the many concepts within music but most importantly that they develop a lifelong love and appreciation of the musical arts.
Carlos teaches a wide variety of instruments and style of percussion including:
-Classical Percussion (Orchestra/Band)
-Afro-Cuban hand drumming
-Latin Percussion
-Afro-Brazilian drumming
-Trinidadian Steel Pan/Drums
-Drumset
-Persian Hand Drumming
-Marimba/Xylophone/Glockenspiel
Drumming is incredibly fun! The relationships and experiences that I have had through the power of music have been wonderful. While I do enjoy playing and performing music, I also love sharing my knowledge and sharing the joy of drumming with all my students.
Highlights
Photos and videos
Reviews
Marina K.
Miguel C.
Zack T.
Bartolic
Tammie T.
Anka M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
1) Get to know eachother. Nothing happens unless there is a level of comfort with eachother. We get to know eachother so we can develop a plan of study
2) Assess current skill levels and develop long-term musical goals
3) I want to make our first lessons very fun. Be creative, have the students be free to play what they want, explore possibilities and sounds, use the interests I see in our first lesson to develop teaching plans and goals centered around each individuals interests and skill levels.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
-Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music
-Masters in Music Performance from The Fred Fox School of Music
-Private lessons instructor 9+ years
-Music Education 5+ years in schools throughout Tucson
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I have a few options for my students. I am willing to both meet at my home or at your home depending on the location.
Below are my rates if students meet at my home studio.
1/2 hour lessons- 40
45 minute lessons- 45
1 Hour lessons - 60$
I am happy to travel to my students whenever necessary for an additional 10$.
How did you get started teaching?
I began learning piano and percussion during my junior and senior year of high school. I found that I loved music then for the first time, but I also realized that I enjoyed talking and sharing my musical experiences with anyone as well. That quickly developed into a love for sharing the musical knowledge I gained with anyone who would listen to me. Not long after I decided that I wanted to continue playing music and became a music major in college. Shortly after that I found that I wanted to teach music professionally as a career.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have experience working with all ages and skill levels. I have students who only want to learn drumset, some enjoy just hand drums. I teach classical percussion, hand drumming, world percussion such as steel pan and frame drumming. My students age range from 4 years old all the way up to collegiate level students.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love how musicians are finding ways to be creative online during COVID-19. It shows that music is as resiliant as people. Music is an essential part of human beings and people will always find a way to continue the aural arts.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Look for a teacher that offers lessons for exaclty what you are looking for. For example, if you want to learn steel drums, find a teacher that has experience in that. If you want to learn congas, look for one who teaches that. Meet the teacher in person and get a trial lesson when possible. Ask many questions during this lesson to get an understanding of eachother.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should consider why they might want to pursue lessons. There are many reasons that each student does so, but the important thing is that when the student has an idea of what they might be looking for, a teacher can help that student head in the right direction.